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History teaches us the importance of planning ahead; unfortunately, we need reminders. Canadian Forces Base (CFB)
Bagotville, in Saguenay, Quebec, was long home to firefighting training activities that used aqueous film-forming foam
(AFFF) which contains PFAS—persistent “forever chemicals”
Governments need to protect freshwater
now known to contaminate water and soil. Over time, PFAS
resources as data centre development
migrated beyond the training grounds. In 2023, the DND deaccelerates BY AARON ATCHESON
tected PFAS concentrations at off-site wells, sparking extension
remediation and long-term monitoring. DND sites across the
HEN WE THINK ABOUT the expansion of
country now appear on national PFAS hotspot maps. Research
the Canadian military, we think about procurenow shows that PFAS contamination at military installations is
ment of jets, icebreakers and armoured personoften tied to firefighting foams, wastewater systems, and seasonnel carriers. And when we think about military
al training practices.
infrastructure, we think runways, training facilThese examples reveal how water issues, if not anticipated
ities and port expansions.
and managed, can create operational disruptions, public health
We don’t necessarily thin about water and wastewater
concerns, costly remediation efforts and community tension.
facilities, contamination prevention equipment and stormThe DND’s Potable Water Quality Management Framework
water systems. But as the Department of National Defence
outlines strict requirements for risk assessment, contamination
monitoring, and adherence to Health
Canada’s drinking-water standards across
all DND properties. This framework
Water is foundational to mission readiness. Clean drinking water,
seeks to prevent the types of issues created
reliable wastewater treatment systems and well-planned facilities
in earlier decades, as at CFB Bagotville.
Beyond regulatory changes, DND
are critical for military operations.
has carried out extensive drinking-water
vulnerability studies across Canada. These
studies involve hydrogeological assess(DND) continues to modernize and expand facilities,
ments identification of wellhead protection areas, ranking of
water is becoming one of the most strategically important
threats to water quantity and quality, and creating long-term
considerations in planning military infrastructure. Military
monitoring and management plans. Canada’s “Greening Debases are essentially self-contained communities, with the
fence” initiative shows that the industry views water stewardadded risks associated with training and maintaining a
ship as part of its environmental responsibilities, along with
modern military, often in remote areas. The DND operates
emissions reductions and contaminated site remediation.
over 3,000 kilometres of water, storm and sewer pipes and
For suppliers of products and services to DND, the
manages over 2.1 million hectares of land, much of it in
implication is clear—water is no longer a side issue in defence
environmentally sensitive areas.
procurement. Whether designing a training centre or upgrading
As development and construction ramp up on new
an airfield, firms must be ready to integrate water risk
and existing facilities, each project must consider typical
assessments, PFAS-management strategies and climate-resilient
infrastructure engineering requirements, but also long-term
water infrastructure into their plans. Companies with expertise
water availability, wastewater capacity and site-specific vulin water technology, hydrogeology, environmental assessment
nerabilities. Environmental pressures further complicate the
and contaminate remediation will find growing demand for
picture. In the Arctic and sub-Arctic, thawing permafrost
their services.
and rising flood risks are already straining northern defence
The message: Water is foundational to mission readiness. Clean
installations. For example, Yellowknife, home to Joint Task
drinking water, reliable wastewater treatment systems and wellForce North, faces elevated flood exposure and greater
planned facilities are critical for military operations. The history of
uncertainty around water management systems.
contamination at DND installations is evidence of what can happen when water is an afterthought. As Canada expands and renews
its defence infrastructure, DND can ensure that its next generation
Aaron Atcheson is a partner with
of military infrastructure is both operationally strong and environMiller Thomson LLP in London, Ont., and leader of
mentally responsible, through advance planning, modern practices
the firm’s Project Group. He is also on the board of
the newly created Ontario Defence Association.
and updated technology.
Water Wars
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WATER C AN ADA • M AY/JUNE 2026
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
