The Community Government of Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories, issued a mandatory water conservation notice on March 24, 2026, due to what local leaders are calling an emergency situation. Residents in the Rae, Edzo, and Frank Channel areas are now limited to receiving water deliveries on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. This change is effective immediately, and officials confirmed there will be no extra water deliveries on the off-days.
Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe said the restrictions are necessary because the water intake in the West Channel is frozen solid. A combination of an extremely cold winter and years of low water levels has left the community without a working water source at that location. The five trucks that usually serve more than 400 homes and businesses are now working to move water from the Rae water plant to the rest of the community.
The Behchokǫ̀ area has faced ongoing problems with its water system, which includes pipes that are more than 50 years old. Leaders from the Tłı̨chǫ Government noted that the recent addition of 60 modular homes has put even more pressure on the aging infrastructure. Residents have been asked to use water only for essential needs to ensure the supply lasts through the cold weather.
To fix these issues permanently, Chief Zoe is lobbying the federal government for approximately $100 million to build a new treatment plant and replace the old underground pipes. While the community seeks federal help, the territorial government has stated it does not have additional funding available for these repairs. For now, the local government is focused on managing the current supply until the frozen intake can be addressed.
