Lake Babine Nation tackles inadequate drainage systems with the help of Associated Engineering

Children in the community with Associated Engineering Technologist, Erfun Farjoo

Also known as the Ned'u'ten Nation, the Lake Babine Nation has traditionally resided in large territories radiating out from the shores of Babine Lake, the largest natural lake in BC. Three of the Nations major communities are Woyenne, near Burns Lake, Tachet on the west side of Babine Lake, and Wit'at (Fort Babine) at the end of the northwest arm of the lake. Tachet is of particular environmental significance as it is located 2.5 kilometres downstream from the Fulton River Project, which is the world's largest artificial sockeye spawning channel. According to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Babine-Nilkitkwa Lake System accounts for 75% to 95% of the Skeena sockeye salmon run.

Several communities of the Lake Babine Nation started to experience mould, moisture, and water ingress problems. They determined problems resulted from a lack of a proper functioning, and/or non-existent, community and residential drainage systems. The Nation retained Associated Engineering to conduct a detailed survey of three of its reserves and evaluate drainage improvements.

As part of the drainage plan, the Associated Engineering team assessed the community and residential drainage systems located on all three reserves, and completed mould remediation studies. Freda Leong, Project Manager, reports, "As part of the preliminary drainage plan, we found that the existing drainage systems were inadequate and proposed improvements."

The children in the community came to 'help survey'

These studies confirmed that mould is a major issue in many of the houses. Mould problems have resulted in some families having to move out of their homes. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), mould growth can negatively affect occupants of a home. Mould growth can damage or ruin building materials, and can lead to wood rot and structural damage. Health concerns are also associated with mould. In particular, pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and those with health problems, such as respiratory disease or a weakened immune system, are more at risk when exposed to mould.

Associated Engineering's Infrastructure Group is now preparing the preliminary and detailed design of the drainage system improvements based on the recommendations of the drainage plans and detailed site survey.

The project consists of:

• Performing detailed field survey for the proposed drainage system improvements
• Organizing preliminary environmental permitting services and archaeological assessment
• Liaising with Nation and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) representatives
• Holding community meetings to discuss the projects intentions and benefits
• Completing preliminary and detailed designs of the drainage system improvements
• Preparing Class 'A' and 'B' cost estimates
• Submitting the necessary permits and applications to regulatory agencies.

To date John Tait, Civil Technologist, has surveyed the three major communities, Woyenne, Tachet, and Wit'at. During the six weeks that John was on site in the summer and fall of 2007, he lived in the residential communities and had the opportunity to meet many of the residents. The residents showed a keen interest in what Associated Engineering was doing, what the equipment was used for, and the reasons this work was being done. John jokes, "The children in the community even came out to 'help us complete the survey'!"