brown water

Water and sewage problems strain lives in Edzo as families wait for relief

Water and sewage problems strain lives in Edzo as families wait for relief

Kelsey Mantla is still afraid to drink her tap water in Edzo, N.W.T., where water and sewer failures have been plaguing residents for weeks. Brown water has poured from the taps and underground pipes have burst, forcing some community members to rely on neighbours and family for basic sanitation. "We couldn't use the bathroom or anything. My kids would cry and the house stunk," said Mantla, whose house was flooded by a backed-up sewer. On Jan. 21, a water pump failed in the 200-person Tłı̨chǫ community of Edzo and many buried lines burst, taking out some residents' water for a month. Mantla lives in one of about 50 homes that had no water, or brown water, as a result.

Edzo residents have gone weeks with brown water, frozen water lines

Edzo residents have gone weeks with brown water, frozen water lines

Residents in Edzo, N.W.T., have been struggling with disruptions to their piped water delivery after aging equipment broke down last month, and Tłı̨chǫ leaders say the community government can't pay for sustainable repairs alone. "Our communities are showing the wear and tear of the old infrastructure," said Behchokǫ̀ Chief Clifford Daniels. Behchokǫ̀ includes the communities of Rae and Edzo.