The Frog Lake First Nation Water System Upgrade is a vital investment in essential infrastructure for the Nation. With over $70 million in funding from Indigenous Services Canada, the project will ensure reliable access to clean and safe drinking water and may also serve as a model for future Indigenous infrastructure projects.
Construction includes a 1.1-kilometer raw water intake line and a 15-metre-deep pump station. Water will travel from the intake point to raw water storage ponds and a new treatment facility before being distributed back into the Nation. Key elements of the intake installation will be delivered using a large directional drill and supported by underwater divers. To overcome challenges posed by the remote location and facilitate drilling operations for the new raw water intake, an ice road was built to transport equipment onto the frozen lake. Additionally, an ice platform was constructed to receive the drill’s pilot bit and stage the intake pipe for final pullback, making timing and coordination critical to project success.
To manage complexity, we divided the project into key segments: raw water pumping intake, transfer, storage, treatment, distribution. During the pre-construction phase, we collaborated with the consultants to resolve discrepancies in the earthwork scope, using multiple verification tools to confirm accuracy. We will continue to coordinate meetings with our partners to work through challenges and collaborate.
The team has maximized local hiring by working with the Frog Lake Career Employment Centre and engaging with Nation owned sub-trade partners like Waskonamon Askih, Tri-Co, R-Can Construction, and PKP. We have also opened apprenticeship opportunities in partnership with Portage College and will support long-term ability building within the Nation.