Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of water quality in Fort McPherson has been an issue for a while here, and the department has been involved in trying to resolve it. I know it has been outstanding for a long time with the colour and the smell and the liquidity of the water.
I have been in Fort McPherson and they gave me a glass to drink, but I would not drink it. I am aware of the situation. In trying to resolve it, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working with the health board in the Inuvik region, as well as Public Works and Services.
We discussed this with the community in December. The area of THMs, which is now a health concern, has come to light. As a result of that, we tried a number of solutions.
We tried to fix the water containers and clean the pipes, but it is still not good enough. The department has issued filters as an interim measure. To date, I understand there have not been any complaints received from the community about the water quality since the introduction of the filters.
Last week, on February 15th, the acting deputy minister was in Inuvik and Fort McPherson, and held a series of meetings to discuss the water issue, including the status of the water supply and improvements. I am told Deepwater Lake has been identified as a new source of water and this project is a priority.
The department is working to try to rearrange the project financing to allow for the use of Deepwater Lake. We have an application to the Gwich'in Tribal Council for access to Deepwater Lake, since it is on the Gwich'in lands. We need to apply to have access to it. This is what the department has been doing to date. Thank you.