“Federal Funding Secured for Water Upgrades in Behchokǫ̀ Communities”

The local authorities in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., have received federal funding approval to enhance underground water and sewer systems in Rae. Meanwhile, a separate funding request for similar upgrades in Edzo is awaiting approval. The community has long awaited this funding, as numerous households have faced water access issues during freezing winters.

Behchokǫ̀ Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe expressed the significant impact of the approved federal funding, citing ongoing water challenges in both Rae and Edzo. She affirmed the community’s commitment to securing funds for Edzo, emphasizing that the project there is ready for implementation and requires substantial resources due to the high percentage of houses connected to the main water system.

Pushp Seth, Behchokǫ̀’s senior administrative officer, mentioned that the exact funding amount is pending a formal agreement signing, expected to occur within a few weeks. The community applied for these funds two years ago and has persistently followed up with the territorial government for support, even after an initial denial.

Additionally, the federal government has sanctioned funding for a water intake study and improvements in Rae. The funds originate from the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), established in 2024 to enhance water and waste infrastructure nationwide. The Northwest Territories’ allocation from the fund over a decade amounts to $74.2 million.

To access CHIF funds, territories must commit to climate-related measures like wildfire resilience and permafrost thaw adaptation. The next steps in Behchokǫ̀ involve analyzing funding needs, finalizing designs, and issuing requests for proposals. Construction is slated to commence next year, potentially spanning a year or two based on project design complexity.