The NWT’s chief environmental health officer is advising residents in Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Enterprise and Kakisa to take precautions with drinking water.
In a Monday health advisory, the NWT government said higher levels of disinfection byproducts known as trihalomethanes, or THMs, have been identified in the communities’ drinking water.
The advisory recommends that residents in affected communities fill a pitcher with water and leave it in the fridge uncovered for 24 hours before drinking it and, for baby formula, to bring the water to a rolling boil uncovered for at least one minute before using it.
Other recommendations include using a pour-over filtration water pitcher such as a Brita, installing filters certified to remove THMs on faucets or under sinks, using tap-mounted or under-sink and pour-through activated carbon filters, or using bottled water.
The territory said affected residents should use filtered or bottled water for food preparation and open windows or run an exhaust fan when using tap water for washing dishes. It said tap water can be used to wash fruits and vegetables.
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The NWT government further advised people to take shorter baths and showers and to open windows or use a fan when bathing. It said tap water can be used for brushing teeth, washing hands and laundry.
The territory said while no illness have been reported, it issued the drinking water advisory “out of an abundance of caution” as lifetime exposure to high levels of THMS may increase the risk of cancer.
According to the health advisory, THMs are caused by the reaction of chlorine with naturally occurring organic material in the water, such as plants and vegetation.
The NWT government said it is collaborating with the Town of Hay River to monitor water quality and efforts are underway to reduce the level of THMs in the water.
