Drinking Water Advisory for the Town of Hay River, Hamlet of Enterprise, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, and Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (Kakisa)

Press Release

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (November 3, 2025) – The Chief Environmental Health Officer is advising all residents of Hay River, Enterprise, Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (Kakisa) to take precautions when using drinking water.

This advisory is being issued due to the identification of higher levels of disinfection by-products known as Trihalomethanes (THMs) in the drinking water of those communities. No illnesses have been reported, however, we are advising residents out of an abundance of caution as lifetime exposure (70 years or more) to high levels of THMs may potentially increase the risk of cancer in individuals.

The Environmental Health Unit, in collaboration with the Town of Hay River, is monitoring water quality. Efforts are also underway to reduce the levels of THMs, which are caused by the reaction of chlorine with naturally occurring organic material in water, such as decaying plants and vegetation.

Treatment plant optimization is scheduled for November 2025. This refers to a series of technical adjustments by the Town of Hay River aimed at reducing THM levels while maintaining safe levels of chlorine. Monthly testing will follow to support ongoing enhanced monitoring.

In the meantime, all residents of these communities are advised to take the following precautions:

Advice for Drinking Water

• Fill a pitcher with water and leave it in the fridge for 24 hours without covering it, before consuming the water. This allows the THMs to partially evaporate.
• Use a pour-over filtration water pitcher, such as Brita or other commercial filters, for your drinking water.
• Install a filter on your faucet or under your sink that is certified to remove THMs.
  • look for a filter labeled with the NSF/ANSI 53 certification mark
  • follow the manufacturer’s instructions on installing and maintaining your device; for example, filters should be replaced regularly
• Both point-of-use (tap-mounted or under-sink) and pour-through pitcher-style activated carbon filters are also effective options.
• Alternatively, you can use bottled water. Do not drink water straight from a lake or river.
• When preparing baby formula, bring the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute uncovered, before using it. The THMs will evaporate, and any microbes will be destroyed. This advice can also be followed when preparing drinking water for pregnant women.

Advice for Food Preparation

• Use filtered water or bottled water for food preparation.
• When using tap water for boiling, steaming, or washing dishes with hot water, ensure the kitchen is well-ventilated by opening windows or running an exhaust fan. This helps to disperse the vaporized THMs, which can be inhaled in enclosed, steamy spaces.
• Tap water can be used to wash fruits and vegetables.

Shower, Bath and Housekeeping Use

• Take shorter baths (less than 30 minutes per day), or showers (less than 10 minutes per day).
• Spend only a short time in any activity that generates steam in an enclosed space.
• Open windows or use a fan when bathing or showering.
• Tap water can be used for brushing teeth and washing hands
• Tap water can be used regularly for laundry

More information

• Disinfection by-products in drinking water
• Drinking Water Treatment Devices(link is external)

For media requests, please contact:

Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
HSSMedia@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail)

IHT4