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STAR BLANKET CREE NATION, SASK – A new water treatment plant has opened at the Star Blanket Cree Nation in Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan.

The new plant brings a reliable water supply to all homes on reserve as well as community buildings such as the band office, health care facility and early learning centre, an Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) release said.

“The completion of our new water treatment plant is a crucial step towards honouring the inherent right to clean and safe drinking water. After years of living under a water advisory, this memorable moment in history represents a significant victory in our ongoing environmental justice and self-determination advocacy. We remain keen in our commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our people,” Star Blanket chief Michael Starr said in a statement.

The plant uses biological filtration and membrane treatment to clean source water, and the project included drilling a new raw water well, construction of a raw water line, rehabilitation of an existing raw water well and flushing of the water distribution system.

Construction began in January 2023 with ISC support of over $10.5 million, the release said, including training for the water treatment operator over the next three years.

Star Blanket Cree Nation is home to approximately 300 residents and located about 90 kilometres northeast of Regina.