Public Notice

Notice of intent to make a determination

Thunderchild First Nation Water Treatment Plant and Well Upgrades – Public Comments Invited

August 23, 2024 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Thunderchild First Nation Water Treatment Plant and Well Upgrades project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

Written comments must be submitted by September 22, 2024 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
Alvin Hamilton Building, 1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, SK  S4P 2B6
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

Thunderchild First Nation is proposing to upgrade and revitalize their existing water treatment plant and related infrastructure. The proposed project includes addition of a new membrane treatment system and related infrastructure within the existing water treatment plant building, upgrade of an existing well, completion of a new, previously drilled well, and construction of approximately 150 meters of new access road to connect an existing road to the new well site. Decommissioning of a second existing well will also be included. The project is intended to extend the service life of the facility and meet the raw water supply service requirements of the growing population.

Project activities will include topsoil and overburden removal at the well sites and access road alignment, excavation at both well sites to install pitless adapters, minor excavation for construction of the access road, and placement of gravels at the road and well sites. Fencing will be installed at the well sites, and a membrane unit and mechanical and electrical equipment will be installed inside the existing water treatment plant building. Well decommissioning will follow provincial standards for drilled wells.

All anticipated waste generation from construction activities will be responsibly handled and disposed of at designated off-reserve facilities. Procedures will be followed to limit the amounts of waste generated during construction, and to mitigate any potential contamination pathways from the use of petroleum products on site.