At least 15 dialysis patients are being evacuated from Garden Hill Anisininew Nation in Manitoba after a break-in at the local water treatment plant forced the suspension of critical medical services. The incident, which is currently being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, has left the community with significant concerns regarding the safety of its water supply.
Authorities believe the break-in occurred between 4 a.m. and the time it was reported on the same morning. Because the water treatment facility is not functioning properly, dialysis treatments—which require large amounts of water—have been paused. This service unit is vital to the area, as it provides care for local residents as well as patients from St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack, and Red Sucker Lake Anisininew Nations.
According to Alex McDougall, the interim Grand Chief of Anisininew Okimawin, testing is required to determine if the water supply has been contaminated. Until those results are available, residents are advised to consume only bottled water and to avoid using tap water for any purpose, even if it has been boiled.
Garden Hill is a remote, fly-in community accessible only by air or through a winter road. The local dialysis unit, which operates with six stations, had previously received a major water system upgrade in February 2020 to support its medical operations.
