Modernizing Water Treatment Plants in the Northwest Territories

Funding provided through the Small Communities Fund (inactive).

Great news for the Northwest Territories (NWT)! The new water treatment plants in Paulatuk, Gamèti, and Wekweètì are making their water goals a reality. These modern solutions are not only exciting for each community but also for the entire NWT.

Until now, many NWT communities used small water treatment plants or simple truck-fill stations that disinfected water with chlorine. These stations did not have the ability to filter water from all potentially health-impacting substances and with growing communities, upgrades were needed.

All levels of government in the NWT therefore set a common goal to see their communities have better access to clean and safe water, and the progress has been impressive.

Thanks in part to Infrastructure Canada funding, communities across the NWT are benefiting from new modern water treatment plants and existing plants have been upgraded to meet modern standards, including upgrades to water filtration.

Currently, the territory’s 30 water plants are run by local residents who are hired by community governments. While 23 of these plants have certified local operators, the remaining seven locations are actively working to certify operators.

These modernized water solutions are sure to benefit the community for generations to come!

For more information, visit:

• New release: All Water Treatment Plants in the Northwest Territories now meet National Guidelines
• Housing and Infrastructure Project Map

Quick facts

• The goal of having modern Water Treatment Plants in the Northwest Territories communities was achieved as of October 5, 2020, with the approval for use of Wekweètì’s new water plant.
• Community governments have effectively leveraged a range of federal infrastructure programs, including:
• Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund,
• Build Canada Plan,
• Small Communities Fund,
• Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, and
• Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly Gas Tax Fund).
• These initiatives serve to complement the Community Public Infrastructure Funding provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories.