Ontario RegionSafe Water Operations Program (SWOP)

Presentation on March 10, 2010Niagara Falls, Ontario

INAC Ontario Region

• In March 2006, Minister Prentice and National Chief Fontaine announce a Five Point Plan of Action to address drinking water concerns in First Nations communities

• One of key components was that all First Nation water treatment plants must be operated by appropriately certified operators.

• In cases where a First Nation operator is not certified at the same level of the plant, a First Nation can submit a proposal under the SWOP program.

• Intent of SWOP is to provide certified operators to supervise and assist First Nation operators in the maintenance and operation of their WTP in a manner consistent with current MOE Drinking Water standards.

• Financial assistance to First Nations to contract with Service Providers to be the Over-All-Responsible Operator (ORO) until First Nation operators attain the appropriate certification.

• SWOP was intended as an interim measure.

Initiation of SWOPInitiation of SWOP

• To ensure the health and safety of First Nations residents through provision of safe water;

• To achieve a level of supply, treatment and distribution water quality and operating performance that is consistent with current Ontario water standards;

• To support First Nations capacity development in water and utility infrastructure development and operations; and,

• To establish maintenance management plans for the water utility assets to ensure that these operate cost effectively through the planned life expectancy of the asset.

SWOP Program ObjectivesSWOP Program Objectives

Eligible Applicants• Individual First Nation community or group of First Nation communities• Tribal Councils and First Nations technical services organizations, who

act on behalf of FN communities who have delegated its responsibility of managing their water plants

Eligible Costs• Service provider fees and applicable disbursements;• Preparation of an emergency response plan;• On-site operator training;• Regular reporting by the service provider;• Travel costs incurred by Tribal Councils who assist in the Request for

Proposal process, and facilitate the aggregation of First Nation interests.

Ineligible Costs• Any costs normally funded through existing O&M, training or capital

budgets.

SWOP Program DetailsSWOP Program Details

• First Nation/Tribal Council to send letter to INAC confirming their intent to initiate a SWOP application.

• Project Team Meeting to initiate Request for Proposal (generic SWOP Terms of Reference available)

• Project Team Selection of Service Provider

• Application for Funding made to INAC

• INAC Funding Approval

• First Nation/Tribal Council Negotiation of Service Agreement

• INAC Funding processed upon receipt of signed and executed service agreement

SWOP Approval ProcessSWOP Approval Process

• To date, a total of $7,886,065 has been allocated in 2009-10

• 25 SWOP service agreements approved (FN=21, TC=5)

• 53 First Nations under SWOP (South=13 FNs, North=40 FNs)

• Ontario Region Average SWOP cost = $135,048

• Average SWOP in southern First Nations = $74,014

• Average SWOP in northern First Nations = $154,885

2009-10 SWOP Summary2009-10 SWOP Summary

• Ensuring that First Nation core O&M funding, and enhanced water O&M funding is being used effectively.

• Developing a long-term operator training plan that is linked to existing & future water plant system(s).

• Maintaining experienced and qualified operators in community.

• Review SWOP Terms of Reference.

• Explore alternative funding and ORO mechanisms. (eg. hubs)

SWOP Challenges