What is this Project?

The Schkam IR2 water system requires immediate upgrades to provide appropriate levels of service with infrastructure that meets applicable guidelines and standards. One of the most critical upgrades is the connection of the new groundwater well to the existing water system to reduce the risk of future water shortages.

This interim water solution design project builds upon previous completed work in the Schkam IR2 Water Feasibility Study and includes the design of a new well pump, pipe connections and electrical upgrades to bring the newly drilled well online. The design work is now complete, and the tender and construction phase will begin once funding is secured.

Construction at the pumphouse site to complete the upgrades is expected to start in the spring of 2026 and will last for a few weeks.

How Will the Community Be Engaged?

Feedback on water system improvements at Schkam IR#2 was sought from the community through:

• Community Open House Session (October 3^rd, 2024)
  • Drinking Water Presentation hosted by FNHA (October 3^rd, 2024)
• Hard Copy and interactive online community survey (October – November 2024)
  • 109 survey respondents
• Community Open House Session (November 5^th, 2024)
• February 04 Open House – Follow Up Presentation by FNHA
  • Over 110 attendees

Through the Infrastructure survey, members living on and off-reserve were able to provide feedback on topics relating to preference for drinking water including: chlorine for water disinfection, water connection to the District of Hope, and priority of water system upgrades with respect to other infrastructure upgrades.

Through the three open house sessions and the Learning Lesson by FNHA, all comments provided through these sessions were recorded and integrated into the recommendation for the interim solution.

Community engagement will be provided at two upcoming events this spring and summer 2025 before the project moves to construction in the late summer 2025.

What is the Project’s Expected Timeline?

Following the design of the well and pumphouse upgrades the project will move to construction this summer 2025.