Full-Service Decentralized

Service delivery through a ‘hub-and-spoke’ system

The Atlantic Chiefs and their Band Councils concluded that the Full Service Decentralized (FSD) structure is most consistent with their concept of ownership and values. The analysis found within the business case independently supports their conclusion that a FSD structure represents the option which best meets the AFNWA Business Case evaluation criteria.

The FSD model comprises a ‘hub-and-spoke’ operations structure. This type of system arranges operations into a network of hubs that centralize expertise and operational knowledge in geographically compatible locations close to communities (‘spokes’) and their community-based operators.

In recognizing First Nations traditional territories, and Atlantic Canada’s geographical challenges, the FSD model can optimize service delivery with communities being no more than a 2.5-hour drive away from a service hub. The Business Case provides an appropriately sized management and operational baseline to deliver the required services to communities with the flexibility to scale-up to accommodate communities who join later.

As other Atlantic First Nation communities express the interest in AFNWA, their participation can be accommodated by providing additional operators to work within the established management structure.

Maintaining the existing conditions does not align with the success factors identified in the Business Case, and perpetuates the issues of the past. Providing long-term federal funding will allow the AFNWA to become an organization where First Nations own, operate, and upgrade their own water and wastewater facilities.

The FSD model has identified six (6) service zones that AFNWA will service. The Elders Advisory Lodge have offered names to the service zones in Mi’kmaw and Wolastoq, the languages of the First Nations AFNWA serves. Each service zone will adopt the hub-and-spoke approach, with the service areas shown in the graphic below.