Bad Water

Imagine if you turned the tap and only dirty brownish water came out. Or the water might look clean, but because of pollution, you’re told you have to boil it before you can drink it or cook with it, or even use it to brush your teeth. Sounds awful, right? But Aboriginal communities all over Canada know exactly what that’s like. It’s known as a boil-water advisory, and about two-thirds of those communities have lived under one in the past 10 years. Usually it’s because the treatment plant isn’t working properly, so people can get very sick if they drink the water.

Disaster? Yes/ No/ Maybe/ Not Sure