Three individuals are facing charges after a break-in at the Garden Hill Anisininew Nation water treatment plant on April 29, 2026, which disrupted the regional water supply and forced the evacuation of local dialysis patients.
The RCMP reports that between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., suspects entered the facility, causing significant damage to machinery and stealing power tools valued at over $100,000. The damage left the plant inoperable, forcing the community to switch to a bottled water-only advisory for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. The Canadian Red Cross provided emergency water supplies to residents throughout the disruption.
The incident significantly impacted the Island Lake Regional Renal Health Program, which is based in Garden Hill and serves patients from St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack, and Red Sucker Lake. Because dialysis treatments require large quantities of treated water, at least 15 patients were evacuated to southern Manitoba to continue receiving life-sustaining care.
Following a police investigation, which included the seizure of stolen tools from two homes in the area, three men were charged in connection with the crime. An 18-year-old and a 20-year-old, both from Garden Hill, face charges including breaking and entering and theft. A 53-year-old man from Oxford House is also charged with possession of stolen property. These charges have not yet been proven in court.
Grand Chief Alex McDougall of the Anisininew Okimawin noted that while the recent break-in caused the immediate shutdown, the plant was already in disrepair and in need of replacement. Repairs to the facility are now complete, and the water supply has been declared safe for public use.
