Students will state and describe the steps of the water treatment process that must occur before water can be safely used by community residents. Students will compare and contrast the water treatment guidelines used in different water treatment plants. (Some water treatment plants are less stringent on regulations than others). Students will question the practices of their own community water treatment plant with regards to safe water treatment.
In 1996, Environment Canada issued a State of the Environment Report. In this report, it was found that 20-40% of rural wells may be affected by fecal coliform bacteria and nitrate contamination, among other indicators of poor water quality. When a community is found to have unsafe drinking water, that community is usually issued a boil water advisory until the problem has been fixed. The Yellow Quill First Nation in Saskatchewan has been on a boil water advisory for nine years, since 1995.
