Water issues at Potlotek

Residents advised not to consume, bathe or wash clothes with their water

Water issues have returned to Cape Breton’s Potlotek First Nation.

The latest results of water testing are showing manganese and iron concentration in the drinking water in exceedance of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

“Based on these results, and in consultation with our regional public health specialist, Health Canada — (First Nations and Inuit Health branch) is recommending that the band implement a drinking water advisory in the community,” according to correspondence from Health Canada forwarded to the Cape Breton Post.

“Community members should be advised not to consume, bathe or launder clothes with the water.”

Bernadette Marshall, a resident of Potlotek, is angry because the community was also in the midst of a water crisis last fall.

“My understanding a year ago was that it was supposed to be resolved. I didn’t think a year later that it still wouldn’t be resolved,” said Marshall. “Now our water is discoloured and there’s an odour coming from it.”

Marshall was also frustrated that she didn’t learn about the latest results until Monday evening through a Facebook post.

“On the letter it said you can’t consume or bathe with the water or wash your dishes or anything like that. I got really upset because we were kept in the dark on the progress of everything,” said Marshall.

She added that the band council did provide bottled water for all residents of Potlotek on Tuesday, but she has no timeline for when the issue will be resolved.

Health Canada, in the correspondence circulated to the community, said a more detailed letter was expected to be sent to community members on Tuesday.

The Post was unable to reach Potlotek band council members or Chief Wilbert Marshall for comment. Attempts to reach Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner were also unsuccessful.