WINNIPEG, MB - A unique, temporary service sharing agreement between the City of Winnipeg and the Shoal Lake #40 First Nation may be the solution to providing essential public health services within the First Nation community, while also protecting the city’s water source and watershed environment.
The Water and Waste Department proposes to transport the First Nation’s garbage and pumped sewage on a cost recovery basis, which would include transportation, sewage treatment plant disposal, landfill tipping fees for garbage disposal, and minor costs associated with modifying the Department’s facilities at Shoal Lake.
“We have had a long history of dialogue and cooperation with the First Nation,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “We are pleased the Department has developed a proposal to assist our partners with Shoal Lake #40 First Nation achieve a temporary solution.”
Garbage and sewage from the community of approximately 250 residents would be transported on the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway. Sewage would be treated at the City’s sewage treatment facilities and garbage disposed of at Brady Landfill.
If approved, the agreement could be implemented early in 2013 and would be renewable annually until the federal government develops a longer-term arrangement on behalf of the First Nation to address sewage treatment and landfill needs. The First Nation’s landfill closed in June 2012.
Council approval is required for the Public Service to implement the recommendations in the report. Executive Policy Committee will consider the report at a special meeting on Wednesday, December 12, 2012.