Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories, residents have until Monday, June 15, 2026, to pay overdue water bills or risk having their service cut. The Community Government of Behchokǫ̀ issued an urgent notice telling people with outstanding accounts to contact the SAO office right away to make payment plans.
Senior Administrative Officer Pushp Seth oversees the community government’s municipal operations, which serve the largest Indigenous community in the territory with more than 2,000 people. The office can be reached at (867) 392-6500.
The shutoff warning comes as Behchokǫ̀ continues to deal with a serious water emergency that started last winter. Aging pipes, some more than 50 years old, and frozen lake intakes have led to low water levels in Marion Lake and constant strain on the local supply. In March 2026, Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe told residents to conserve water and called the situation an emergency.
Chief Zoe has been asking the federal government for nearly $100 million to replace the old water system, but so far the Northwest Territories government has said water infrastructure is a municipal issue and no extra money is available. The community has applied for funding through a $51 billion federal infrastructure program announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In the meantime, the June 15 cutoff date is firm, and residents are urged not to wait. Anyone with past-due accounts should contact the SAO office immediately to keep their water running.
