Rally to highlight 17-year boil water advisory in Shoal lake

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This article was published 28/01/2015 (3365 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A rally is planned for later today outlining how Winnipeg’s latest water crisis pales in comparison to what Shoal Lake #40 First Nation has been going through for nearly two decades.

A group of concerned citizens will pass out water bottles and raise awareness to the drinking water situation in Shoal Lake outside of 201 Portage Ave. at noon. The community of Shoal Lake, the source of Winnipeg’s water, has been under a boil-water advisory for approximately 17 years.

Winnipeg is currently in the second day of a boil-water advisory, following false positive results for coliform bacteria in samples tested Tuesday.

“While this city has been inconvenienced by a 1-2 day E. coli scare, we thought it was important to publicly highlight the irony of the boil water advisory Shoal Lake #40 First Nation has had for over 17 years,” offered Chuck Wright, a student and Winnipeg resident, in a statement.

“Winnipeggers can no longer remain oblivious to this travesty. We need clean drinking water for all.”

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According to Wright, Shoal Lake spends around $250,000 annually on bottled water.

City officials are expected to update Winnipeg’s boil-water advisory later this afternoon.