There are 3 basic ways people who live in Canada, in a First Nation, in an Indigenous nation, who reside in the north half of North America, deal with water.
First, if we live in the city, we turn on the tap and expect clean water. If it looks sketchy, we report these vile waters to the city. The city charges us for water we use, and in turn we expect a quality service. If we don't get the quality we expect, we complain more, escalating from phone class, to letters, to involving the media and maybe even a lawyer or two. This is an economy most Canadians participate in.
Second, if we live in the country we are responsible for out own water source. We are considered like our own little country. We have to apply to the county we reside in for water use, test the approved water source, maintain our own distribution lines for safe delivery, and dispose of used water in a prescribed manner, all like a city has to due. These standards are regulated by our province. Variations occur if we are a farm, or acreage based business, but still, provincial rules apply.
Third, if we live on a reserve, in the outback territories or on a land-claim, we are responsible for developing a relationship with a Provincial or Territorial Body who are stewards of the Federal governments water policy. At the mercy of nature and super powered corporations who can bribe any world government, Indigenous and First Nation neighbours, friends and family experience un-drinkable water, decaying sewage systems installed as temporary and antiquated structures, and an intentional frustration and ignorance of their traditional methods exasperate the situation.
The problem with this third 'we' is that while industry are governed by this same federal law, there are plentiful funds to simple pay fines if water transgressions are made, without thought towards cleanup. Deals can be struck without any weight put on complaints from small numbers of individuals or marginalized individuals who are affected. Chemicals used in modern treatment are based on a taxation system that may not apply to this segment of our North American population, who participate in a completely different economy. Climate change, while slowly noticed for those of us in established cities, those more ruled by nature are dealing with disappearing permafrost, disintegrating coastlines, vanishing rivers, and more. Centuries of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and colonial destruction of traditional stewardship of source waters are all solvable problems.
What is acceptable water? According to the UN. Water should be: sufficient, safe, acceptable, accessible, and affordable. This is a list most of us would agree to be reasonable, and expected. So why do we still not solve this list for all of us here in the North?
Our thirst for power and economic gain drives most of the damage done to rural and reserve waters. Power generation, gas mining, coal, diamonds, resource accumulation, while now being compensated for financially for Indigenous or First nation land use and infringement with some land holders (definitely not all), simply throwing money at water issues won't actually fix them. If technology and poor management is destroying water sources, then technology or its removal as well as better management is necessary to fix the problem(s).
Donation, government compensation, business payouts, all help, however, and more is needed. Also needed is expertise towards water technology in Northern climates with a sensitive and tolerant negotiation for implementing this technology. Do you have such expertise? time would be the most valuable donation of all. I was a water treatment operator and we were sending $ and training to Mexico and Central America. Meanwhile your neighbour, your brothers and sisters do not have water to drink, clean themselves, or their clothes.
According to most of us urban dwellers, the tap should be safe, and our toilet should flush. Past that we don't think too much about it. If you didn't know that your country is on a donation list for impoverished and third-world quality water, don't feel bad... most of us don't. BUT... now you do. So please, if you feel compelled to donate to the great cause of clean water, consider donating close to home first and love your neighbour.
What can you do?
3. Write the MLA in your area, as well as local churches, that you are willing to donate, drive a truck, dig a hole, whatever you are capable, so that your neighbours can have safe water.
4. Pray, meditate, think good thoughts and blessings for your neighbours, and maybe expand your definition of who is your neighbour.