The official position of the Advanced Aboriginal Water Treatment Team (AAWTT) regarding the federal engagement sessions for an "Action Plan on First Nations Drinking Water" was released on world water day, March 22nd, 2009.  To read the paper please visit: http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/PositionPaper.pdf

SDWF Facts

1. SDWF aims at making truly safe drinking water a reality for ALL Canadians;
2. SDWF is a not-for- profit Canadian organization;
3. SDWF allocates $.95 of every dollar for program funding;
4. SDWF produces water education programs that are used throughout N. American schools;
5. SDWF uses scientific solutions to treat highly polluted source waters in FN and rural communities;
6. SDWF works extensively with First Nations people throughout Canada;
7. SDWF is comprised of volunteer scientists from universities throughout the world;
8. SDWF scientists have revolutionized water treatment processes with the IBROM;
9. SDWF relies on over 1000 hours per month of volunteer support from volunteers all over the world;
10. SDWF seeks at invoking positive policy change at all government levels;
11. SDWF seeks to promote and develop water treatment systems that are environmentally friendly;
12. SDWF has an internationally renowned Advanced Aboriginal Water Treatment Team;
13. SDWF has many education programs that have been translated into French and Cree;
14. SDWF has over 40 fact sheets online, many of which have been translated into French and Cree.

Our Mission

Encourage the universality of safe drinking water by supporting innovative research and development; Increase awareness of health concerns from consumption of poor quality water; Act as a policy advocate to ensure appropriate action is taken to provide safe drinking water to all people.

Our Vision

To reaffirm and promote all people's right to safe drinking water. With a focus on developing partnerships with rural communities throughout Canada and around the world, we intend to effect change at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels as well as within civil society and industries involved in the protection and production of public water supplies.

We will work with one community at a time to empower community leaders and citizens through the sharing of knowledge, education programs, community outreach programs, and scientific research/development.

Our Goals

Our vision will be reached in Canada when the following Goals have been achieved:
• National drinking water regulations are implemented and enforced, resulting in all communities in Canada having access to truly safe drinking water
• The federal government of Canada recognizes at the United Nations that water is a basic human right.

Public Policy

SDWF is committed to supporting public policies that help people access safe drinking water. We believe that practical policies based on sound science are the best way to ensure that everyone drinks safe water. With over a decade of technical expertise and experience working with rural communities, we educate and inform First Nations, policy-makers and the public to build support for the right policies.
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First Nations Drinking Water Policy

While it is hard for many rural communities to provide safe drinking water, the situation in First Nations communities is especially difficult. Since 1995, a number of reports have highlighted the unacceptable situation in these communities. Health Canada still tells 95 communities to boil their water and Indian Affairs says that there is a good chance that water systems in 85 communities could break down. Without a proper regulatory framework and enough resources, First Nations will continue to face this risk to public health. We work with First Nations to improve public policies to make sure that First Nations get the system and resources they need.
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Education

Operation Water Health

Students will explore common disease causing microbes found in water, how these microbes are removed or inactivated in water with water treatment and the diseases these microbes cause when they are not identified and treated in drinking water systems.

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Operation Water Pollution

Using hands-on activities to simulate water pollution and water filtration scenarios, students will discover how water pollution is reversed and what they can do to affect change in their community with regards to water pollution.
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Water News

Presentations and Interviews

View presentations, interviews, and quotes related to the quality of safe drinking water.

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Image Library

Students can enhance their school projects by having access to hundreds of FREE photos from our image library.
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Know the Facts

We recently updated our Facts section in order to help educate people on a variety of topics by using easy to understand language.
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