Photo Courtesy: Oneida Nation of the Thames
Due to historic low levels in the Oneida water tower, a state of emergency has been declared by Oneida Nation of the Thames.
On Sunday, the Oneida Emergency Control Group met with representatives from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Emergency Management Ontario, Public Safety Canada, the City of London, Middlesex County, and the Ministry of Natural Resources to assess the issue and how short-term relief can come to the community.
Chief Todd Cornelius advises the community has no choice but to order all non-essential use of water to cease and to establish water conservation measures. Short-term measures are in place including water delivery from a private company in Kitchener at a cost of $20,000 a day.
“Our community is in crisis,” advised Chief Cornelius. “Canada is taking a reactive approach and we cannot fix this alone. The daily cost of $20,000 for a short-term solution comes from Canadian taxpayers. Everyone should be angry at this unnecessary situation.”
One of the major concerns is the provision of fire services during the water shortage, advised communications officer Loredana Wainwright.
A household fire killed a father and his four children, including an infant son, on December 14, 2017.
A boil water advisory has been in effect at Oneida since September, 2019 and became long-term in September 2020. The advisory affects 546 homes and 22 community buildings.
It’s time for higher levels of government to act on the promises made, stressed Wainwright.
Written by Ian McCallum
