Residents in the Central Area of Peguis First Nation in Manitoba are being asked to reduce their water use while crews fix issues with the local water system.
The Peguis First Nation Public Works Department issued the notice on July 20, 2026, asking for everyone’s cooperation until the work is done. No end date was given, but the department said the conservation request will stay in place “until further notice.”
The Central Area water system serves a large part of the community, which sits along the Fisher River about 196 kilometres north of Winnipeg. The Water Treatment Plant and all of the centralized pipes, lagoon, and sewer lines are operated by Public Works, led by Director Rod Sutherland. Certified operators Shaun Spence and Dean Cochrane manage daily operations at the plant.
Water infrastructure at Peguis has faced repeated stress in recent years. The Fisher River has overtopped its banks multiple times since 2006, with major flooding in both 2022 and April 2026. Last spring’s flood forced a State of Emergency and threatened about 225 homes, requiring sandbags and Tiger Dams to hold back the water. The water treatment plant sits right next to the river, making it especially at risk when water levels rise.
Chief Dr. Stan Bird, who has led the community since 2023, has said Peguis can no longer afford to rebuild the same way every year and is working on better flood preparedness and stronger coordination between public works, housing, and emergency teams. The current water conservation notice, while focused on repairs, is a reminder of the ongoing need for reliable water service in the community.
