"Canada should recognize that clean, drinkable water and sanitation are basic human rights," said Amnesty International Canada Secretary General Alex Neve.

"The United Nations has already recognized water and sanitation as a human right, which means that every government must now come up with a plan of action based on the 'obligation to respect, protect and fulfill' these rights," said Council of Canadian chairperson Maude Barlow.

AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo stated: "First Nations have inherent rights to water in their traditional territories and these rights were never given up. First Nation leaders have called for Canada to respect the Aboriginal and Treaty right to clean drinking water and want to work in partnership with the government on this priority, consistent with the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."