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Water treatment plant underway

Nazko residents soon to enjoy arsnic-free drinking water
6565quesnelNazkowaterplant
On the water treatment plant site

Water will finally be safe for Nazko residents to drink.

Nazko’s new water treatment plant will be a state of the art facility which takes the unsafe drinking water and puts it through a series of treatments to remove the high levels of arsenic that are currently in the water at Nazko – mostly due to the close proximity of the active Nazko cone volcano.

Arsenic is commonly found in groundwater in gold mining areas and in volcanic areas throughout the world.

The treatment plant will also reduce concentrations of organic matter and manganese in the groundwater and provide disinfection.  Once treated the water coming from the taps will be drinkable.

Currently truckloads of bottled water are delivered to each house from Quesnel.

The residents of Nazko bathe and wash clothes in the water that contains high levels of arsenic.

Reports from Health Canada state that there are health risks involved even with washing in the water, as arsenic particles have been found in hair samples of babies.

Contractors Greyback

Construction have been onsite since June 15 and Kerr

Wood Leidal-Consulting Engineers have provided the design.

Nazko First Nation general manager Brenda Gardiner is both pleased and excited about the progress of the project.

“Finally safe drinking water will be available to the band members of Nazko First Nation, a luxury we all take for granted, unless you don’t have it,” she said.

The anticipated completion time is Nov. 15.

Gardiner added this is one more item for chief Delores Alec to check off her list of accomplishments.

–submitted by

Nazko First Nation