Break-in renders Manitoba First Nation’s water treatment plant inoperable

Manitoba RCMP Headquarters in Winnipeg, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

An alleged break-in at a northern Manitoba First Nation’s water treatment plant may pose a risk to the community’s water quality.

At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Island Lake RCMP officers were sent to the Garden Hill First Nation’s water treatment plant for a report of an alleged break-in.

When they arrived, officers were told that someone had entered the plant early in the morning and damaged some of the machinery, bringing it out of service.

Sgt. Paul Manaigre, media relations officer for the Manitoba RCMP, said access to the water supply was found to be opened.

“There was a concern that the water source may have been tampered with, and that is being looked after by the community,” Manaigre told CTV News on Friday. “They’re going to do some water tests to make sure the water hasn’t been contaminated.”

In a media release, Mounties said numerous power tools used in the plant’s operation were also stolen, valued at over $100,000. Some of the stolen items include welding equipment, Manaigre said.

The investigation will rely on evidence gathered from the scene and tips from the public, as there was no surveillance camera available.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Island Lake RCMP at 204-456-2626.

CTV News reached out to Chief Dino Flett of Garden Hill First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada for comments.