Bimose Tribal Council HUB: Ensuring Safe Water for First Nations

1. HUB Pilot Project Ontario Overview Philip tangie/David Mellor – Bimose Tribal Council

2. Topics Covered • Introduction and HUB Model Formation • HUB Services Provided • Overview of The Bimose Tribal Council (BTC) HUB Programs • Successes and Challenges of the HUB Models on First Nations • Vision and Direction

3. Background • Oversight Task Team - 2005 • Expert Panel on Safe Drinking Water – Harry Swain, Stan Louttit and Steve Hrudey – 2006 • Safe Water Operation Program (SWOP) – 2008 to 2015 • National Assessment – 2010 to 2011 • HUB Formation – 2016 • Currently 8 Operating HUBs in Ontario supporting 48 Communities

4. Bimose Tribal Council – HUB • Pilot began in September 2016 and consisted of 5 operators one of which was a A.ScT/Operator & 1 CET • Services 12 First Nations; Grassy Narrows First Nation, Eagle Lake First Nation, Iskatewizaagegan #39 IN, Lac Des Milles Lac First Nation, Niisaachewan AnishinaabeNation formerly Ochiichagwe’Babigo’ining First Nation, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Obashkaandagaang First Nation, Wabauskang First Nation, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Wabaseemoong IN, North West Angle 33 A and B and WauzhushkOnigum Nation • Essentially funded to provide oversight and assistance on First Nation’s water and wastewater treatment systems • Also will provide multiple deliverables including: Updated O & M Manuals, Maintenance Management Plans, Emergency Response Plans, Facility Assessments

5. HUB and Spoke Model • Primary objective of the HUB is to ensure that all water and waste water facilities are operated and maintained to the: • Indigenous Services Canada Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities, • The Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines and Wastewater System Effluent Regulations and, • The Safe Drinking Water Act. HUB FN FN FN

6. HUB Services Core Deliverables • 24/7 Monitoring and oversight via Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) • Water Quality Data Collection • Operator Capacity Building • Training development & Coordination • Operator Certification & Licencing Maintenance and Promotion • Maintenance Management Plans (MMPs) Creation, Implementation & Maintenance • Emergency Management Plans (EMPs) Creation, Implementation & Maintenance

7. HUB Services • 24/7 Emergency Response • System Troubleshooting • O & M Assistance • Operator Mentoring • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) • Vacation Relief • Clearwell Cleaning Enhanced Deliverables • Capital Project Coordination • PMP Services • WT/WWT Facility Assessments • Critical Spare Parts Listing, Sourcing and Purchasing • Enhanced O & M Reporting • CWWF Administration and Reporting

8. Bimose HUB Successes Sampling • Water and Waste Water Assessments in partnership with MECP led to funding approvals by ISC • Operator Training advancements – Senior operators earning Grade 12 diploma • 24/7 Remote Monitoring Equipment Installations with redundancy at 6 member WTPs - Pilot Project utilizing web based and cellular based services • Hub Staffed and managed by 70% First Nations – 4 BTC Affiliated Band Members • Hub Team consists of 1 x Class 3 WT/Class 2 WWT/ORO/A.Sc.T, 1 x Class 3 WT/Class 2 WWTO/ORO, 1 x Class 2 WT/Class 2 WWT/OIC, 1 x Class 2 WTO/OIC, 1 x Class 1 WTO/OIC, 2 x OITs and 2 x OITs/CETs • Community Water & Wastewater Funding Applications and Project Administration for 9 of 10 BTC FNs – Upgrading WT/WWTPs

9. Bimose HUB Successes cont’d • Public Health Project Application Submission Assistance - Hub Affiliated FNs • Host Community Water Awareness in FN communities increasing Public Awareness • Foster an ongoing relationship with EHOs exchanging Water Quality Data • In-line Water Quality Analytical Equipment Installations - Improving WQ Data Accuracy • Ongoing Operator in Training (OIT) Recruitment • 30 + Emergency Responses & Resolutions in 2016/17 Fiscal year • 40 + Emergency Responses & Resolutions in 2017/18 Fiscal year • 55 + Emergency Responses & Resolutions in 2018/19 Fiscal year

10. Bimose HUB Successes cont’d • Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation (formerly Ochiichagwe’Babigo’Ining) Leak Detection and Repair • WabauskangFirst Nation – Lightning strike necessitated assistance in coordination, managing repairs and ongoing issues arising from the strike. Resulted in the removal of the BWA. • Wabaseemoong First Nation – In excess of 40 emergency responses since 2016 ranging from major water line breaks, water tower fill valve air locks, clearwell pipe bursting, sewage pumping station overflows, automatic valve failure, programming issues and others • Eagle Lake First Nation – Coordinated membrane replacement project. Resulted in the removal of the BWA and restored plant capacity. • Grassy Narrows First Nation – Disinfectant recirculation pump failure – Hub team changed the pump and stored operation to the water storage standpipe recirculation pump

11. Bimose HUB Successes cont’d • Grassy Narrows First Nation – Leaking Disinfectant Recirculation Line repaired restoring operation to the system • Iskatewizagegaan 39 Independent Nation – WTP Blower Failure – Hub team ordered a replacement and provided 24/7 Operator Relief until issue resolved • Shoal lake 40 – Frozen water service line assistance provided utilizing thawing equipment and manpower restoring water supply • Wabigoon Ojibway Nation – Assisting with administration of CWWF funding upgrading communications system to WTP – Monitoring equipment is installed awaiting completion of com-upgrade. • Niisaachewan AnishinaabeNation Disinfection Failure – Hub team installed temporary system and received partial new equipment order – Installation to be completed after all equipment arrives on site

12. Ochiichagwe’Babigo’Ining Leak Detection Services Leak found, BWA issued, Repair Completed, BWA removed

13. Wabaseemoong Water Main Replacement

14. Eagle Lake Membrane Replacement

15. Obashkandagaang Distribution Leak(s) and Line Condition Discovery Leak Investigation initiated December 12, 2019 uncovering 2 other leaks. Sediment in this pipe was discovered when the major leak was found Jan 3 & repaired on January 5, 2019. Leak investigation was ongoing until found and repaired. The issue with sediment in the distribution piping remains. A Remedial Action Plan is being formulated.

16. Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation Disinfectant System Failure Failed ClO2 Disinfectant System replaced with temporary NaOCl Disinfectant System – New ClO2 is now onsite awaiting installation

17. Monitoring Software Example

18. Monitoring Software Online Demo • https://online.wonderware.com/explore https://m2web.talk2m.com/

19. Bimose HUB Challenges • Aged/Deteriorated WT/WWTP Infrastructure • Aged/Deteriorated WD/WWC Infrastructure • Poorly Maintained Infrastructure • Lack of Financial Resources • Lack of Human Resources • Limited Equipment and Material Resources

20. Bimose HUB Challenges • Absence of First Nation Water Regulations – Accountability - Enforcement • Lack of Capacity - Middle Management Level • Lack of Certified FN operators in the Treaty 3 Area. • Operator Recruitment – Generating Interest in the Profession • Operator Wage Parity • Promotion of Water and Waste water Operators as a trade in communities • Short & long term funding agreements

21. Vision and Direction • SHORT & MEDIUM TERM • Implement ISC & BTC Deliverables to Hub affiliated FNs • “Grow” Operators in Training (OITs) • Administer Operator Training Subsidy for Member Communities • Administer Circuit Rider Training Program • Build Hub Team Capacity & Promote Predictive rather than Reactive Facility O & M philosophy • Provide Absence Relieve Services as required • Submit Application to OWWCO for Facility Classifications other than “Notional Licencing” • Implement Water Audit Services to Minimize Water Loss – Comprehensive Water Audits

22. Vision and Direction • LONG TERM • Maintain, Elevate & Sustain Safe Potable Water Supplies to Affiliated First Nations • Maintain, Elevate & Sustain Compliant Wastewater Effluents from FN WWTPs • Train and Certify Operators to the Level of their Facilities • Elevate Hub Affiliated WT/WWT Systems to “Compliance Ready” Status • Continue to Develop and Sustain Partnerships and Relationships with First Nation and Non-First Nation Water & Wastewater Entities • Educate First Nations on Roles & Responsibilities associated with provision of Potable Water and Green Effluent

23. Vision and Direction • LONG TERM • Ongoing Source Water Protection Implementation • Digitize Documents including O&M manuals, SOPs, MMPs, ERPs, Drawings, Logs etc • Foster and Grow “Resource Sharing” Protocols with Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Nations • Create and Maintain ABC Certification Entity for First Nations in Ontario • Standardize O&M, MMPs, ERPs, Equipment, Materials

24. Miigwetch! Questions? • Contact Information • BTC Technical Services Advisor Dave Mellor, P.Eng • 807 468 5551 or dmellor@bimose.ca • or • BTC Technical Services Hub Manager Phil Tangie, A.Sc.T./ORO • 807 548 7777 or ptangie@bimose.ca