THE WATER CRISIS IN FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES
It is hard to disagree with the fact that safe drinking water is at the core of our survival, no matter who we are and where we are. Yet, there are many communities around the globe that do not have basic access to what is considered by most to be a necessity. This problem is especially flagrant in Canada, where First Nations communities have had water supply issues for what is now decades.

Many reserves have to follow a boiling water advisory, many of which are in Ontario, which has access to the Great Lakes, containing 18% of the world's supply of drinkable water. According to Canadians.org, over 70% of water systems in First Nations communities are at high or medium risk of water contamination.

WATER INSECURITY AND ITS RISKS
There are many risks associated with the lack of access to safe drinking water. There are, of course, the risks associated with consuming water that may be contaminated in some way. There are higher risks of contamination with E.coli and other contaminants that may lead to increased risks of cancer and gastro-intestinal issues (HRW, 2016).

According to the HRW's survey, many households have reported increased skin problems from using this water for hygiene purposes, as this water is not and cannot always be boiled for this kind of use. While there are no studies to prove this, it still remains that a lack of access to clean water leads to a decline in hygiene, as there is less water available overall for hygiene purposes, which is especially important with the ongoing pandemic.

There is also an increased risk and impact on First Nations communities mental health. According to a study by Melanie O'Gorman in 2021*, access safe and drinkable running water leads to a decrease of 80% in the odds of reporting depression symptoms. A proper sceptic system reduces this risk by a third, along with highly reducing the risks of gastro-intestinal and kidney diseases.

The author also reports that a problem lies within the plumbing itself, which needs to either be retro-fitted or changed completely, and that investments in this area by the federal government would greatly help in solving the water crisis, along with proper water access infrastructures.