For First Nations in Alberta, drought only compounds existing water issues

Indigenous communities in Alberta have long suffered from water access issues. An expected severe drought might hit them hard. Like many in Alberta with a severe drought bearing down, Rupert Meneen has water on his mind."The only time we pull water out of that creek is when it's running high and the spring runoff has come down. This year we're worried that there's going to be no spring runoff.

"What we know about drinking water advisories is actually just the tip of the iceberg," says Kerry Black, an assistant professor of engineering at the University of Calgary with a focus on water management in Indigenous communities.TSAG plays a key role in water access in First Nations communities in Alberta. The non-profit organization was created in 1998, mandated to take over various technical service roles previously provided to First Nations by the federal government.

"It's forced the government legally to respond to the concerns that have been raised throughout that settlement agreement," says Black, who was an adviser to AFN during that process, but spoke to CBC News in her capacity as an independent researcher. Key points of contention for many include the legislation's lack of specific funding and how it approaches source water protection.

In a statement, ISC said the proposed legislation "would require the federal government to make best efforts to provide funding that is adequate, predictable, stable, sustainable and needs-based and that meets actual costs for water services on First Nation lands."While the bill seeks to establish agreements between different levels of governments on source water protection, some First Nations say it doesn't go far enough.

This lack of licensing became an issue as Alberta's population and demand for water grew. Today, most First Nations with water licences are relatively junior compared to other regional users, including agriculture and industry.

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