Unpaid bills led to the water being shut off on Walpole Island First Nation this week.
However, the water has since been turned back on.
We caught up with James Jenkins, political advisor to chief and council, who filled us in with details about the situation.
“About six months ago, Public Works notified customers who were in arrears that they needed to set up a payment arrangement or their water would be shut off at the end of July,” Jenkins said.
“This was an administrative action based on a Council by-law that was developed decades ago. The by-law was regularly enforced up until 2009, when the First Nation centralized its finances. We are now working to improve our IT network so that Public Works has the information it needs to service our customers efficiently and effectively.”
Jenkins added: “I was told that Public Works is pleased by the number of customers that have come forward to make payment arrangements. Water has been restored to all households while our administration reevaluates the situation.”
Jenkins said council’s direction has been to ensure that elders, families, and members with limited financial means still have access to water and other basic necessities.
“We are working to manage our debts so that we can better provide for our membership,” he said. “Debts have placed a financial strain on our administration, and addressing non-payment of water bills will allow us to care for members’ needs as we move forward.”
About 80 homes had their water turned off on Tuesday.
