Base de données de recherche des TNO

Régions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

étiquettes: water quality, health, social sciences, water

Objectif(s): To provide guidance for small drinking water systems on success factors for planning and implementing major improvements. The results of this initiative will be communicated broadly so that other communities interested in undertaking similar initiatives can learn from best practice.

Description du projet: The Canadian Water Network (CWN) and Health Canada are interested in examining social, economic, governance and cultural factors affecting the successful implementation and sustainability of measures of improvement to the safety and quality of drinking water in small communities in Canada. To initiate this work, CWN is looking to compile case studies of successful efforts made to improve the safety and quality of drinking water in small communities and the success factors identified to mitigate/manage social, economic, governance and cultural challenges. The objective of this initiative is to provide guidance for small drinking water systems on success factors for planning and implementing major improvements. The results of this initiative will be communicated broadly so that other communities interested in undertaking similar initiatives can learn from best practice. Once a community has been selected, a community representative signs a consent form allowing the research to take place. Next, a key contact works with the research representative (Megan Kot) to determine who within the community would be suitable to interview. Individuals with roles in decision-making, operations staff, and community members are of interest to gain a wide range of opinions and insights. Interviews are conducted in person and a verbal consent is secured prior to starting the interview. Results from each interview are anonymous. If there are any written documents or files pertaining to the drinking water improvement these will be analyzed. Findings are compiled into a final report which is made available to the community. Furthermore, findings are shared with the broader research community as well as with other small communities across Canada. Local involvement is critical to the success of this research as a key component includes gathering from resident’s insight on the current drinking water system within the community, the quality and quantity of drinking water prior to improvement, and the involvement of the community in related decision-making. This will be accomplished through in-person interviews. A final report will be made available to the community selected for this research. It will be in plain language. For broader communication, methods of disseminating these results will be via various research partners held by Health Canada, the Canadian Water Network and Dalhousie University. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from March 11, 2011 to December 31, 2011.