Hay River, N.W.T., residents want more frequent testing, greater transparency as town deals with water issues

Residents of Hay River, N.W.T., say they want more frequent water testing, clearer communication, and help with the cost of dealing with the town’s drinking water. 

A drinking water advisory from early November warned residents of Hay River, Enterprise, Kátł'odeeche First Nation and Kakisa of a high levels trihalomethanes (THMs), a chemical by-product formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter, in the water.

Residents in the South Slave communities have been filtering their water and taking steps to reduce the THMs since. 

On Thursday, the Town of Hay River hosted a meeting to answer people’s questions and respond to concerns about the drinking water. Officials from the N.W.T.’s Departments of Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs also attended.

The N.W.T.’s chief environmental health officer Chirag Rohit said at the meeting that the advisory was issued after THM levels in the town’s water exceeded the federal safety limit but he also emphasized they’re only slightly above the guideline of 100 micrograms per litre.

Residents pressed for greater transparency around what’s happening with their drinking water.

Rohit said the government’s initial announcement opted for a simple message with what people need to know to protect themselves. He acknowledged it lacked detail that residents were right to expect.

The government advisory said that extended exposure to high levels of THMs, meaning 70 years or more, could increase the risk of cancer.

Several residents said that warning added to their frustration and any issues with their drinking water are a problem. Others criticized the delay between test results and the public advisory.

Genevieve Clark, a resident of Enterprise, noted the average level in the most recent test was 109 micrograms per litre, but said it peaked at 128 micrograms in August. She’s concerned that such spikes can occur without prompting an immediate advisory.

“How many years have I been consuming eight glasses of water a day [with THMs] over 100?” she said.

Officials said they’ll be testing the water monthly now, as opposed to quarterly, to track whether operational tweaks at the plant reduce the chemical by-products.

Rohit said officials will also release the test results and provide regular updates as work continues.

Some residents, like Debbie Watsyk of Hay River, expressed concern about the long-term costs and suggested that the town should be responsible for managing water safety, rather than individual residents.