Questions about water quality at Liard First Nation

Members of Liard First Nation near Watson Lake, Yukon, say they don't trust their drinking water.

Some homes atthe First Nation are on wells, others havewater delivered from the First Nation's treatment facility.

Frank Mercierwon't drink water from his tap, instead, he gets hiswater from a nearby natural water source.

He believes groundwater around Watson Lake is tainted with oil productsfrom machinery used during the construction of the Alaska Highway in the Second World War.

"I'm very concerned about the water consumption and the purity of it," Merciersays. "Watson Lake has basically been...a great big rust pile."

The Yukon Research Centreis currently working with the First Nation to examine the quality of drinking water in Liard First Nation territory.

Two research centre staff members aresurveying the community until Sunday about their values, concerns and practices related to drinking water. They're talking to people who draw well water, as well asthose who get their water delivered. They've already completed well water testing and ground and surface water mapping.

Yukon College says the study will help the First Nation prioritize upgrades to infrastructure and help guide water management planning. They plan to share the results with the community in June.