Greetings from the Safe Drinking Water Foundation,

It is a sad fact that, in Canada, as of October 31st, 2010, there were 116 First Nations communities under a Drinking Water Advisory. In fact, since there are 614 First Nations communities which live on 907 reserves, the reality is even more dismal in that there are 229 Drinking Water Advisories in place, in total, in First Nations communities. Nearly 1 in 3 reserves is under a Drinking Water Advisory! Also, when a First Nations community has difficulty with its drinking water the problem is not usually resolved as quickly as it is in urban areas. In fact, 90% of Drinking Water Advisories in First Nations communities are in place longer than a year, 50% are in place longer than 3 years, and the longest Drinking Water Advisory has been in place for 15 years.

The Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF) has helped First Nations communities such as Yellow Quill (which was under a Boil Water Advisory for nine years), George Gordon First Nation and Saddle Lake Cree Nation with their drinking water challenges. The SDWF succeeded in making the water in these communities safe to drink thanks to the implementation of Integrated Biological Reverse Osmosis Membrane (IBROM) treatment systems.

Please help the SDWF's Advanced Aboriginal Water Treatment Team (AAWTT) to visit rural and First Nations communities and help them with their specific water treatment challenges. The AAWTT is composed of highly trained, volunteer First Nations water treatment plant operators who want to help other First Nations and rural communities with their water treatment challenges. If you would like to help the AAWTT to perform the vital work they do, give us a call at (306) 934-0389, e-mail infosafewater.org or visit our website (www.safewater.org) and donate today! We are a registered Canadian charity and issue receipts for income tax purposes for all donations of $10 or more, there are only 2 days left in tax year 2010, donate now!

On behalf of all of our staff, board members and volunteers I would like to wish you and your loved ones Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year.

Sincerely,
Nicole M. Biederbeck B.Ed. Distinction
Director of Education
Safe Drinking Water Foundation
#1-912 Idylwyld Drive North
Saskatoon, SK S7L 0Z6

Ph. 306-934-0389 Fax 306-934-5289
E-mail: infosafewater.org
Website: www.safewater.org