The Chief of Potlotek First Nation says his people cannot wait any longer for clean water.
The federal government says it will take two years for a permanent fix, but Chief Wilbert Marshall says that's not going to cut it.
“At first they said three to five years. Two years is still not good enough. My community has had enough,” said Chief Marshall.
Those living in the community agree. Resident Patricia Paul says she’s noticed small improvements, but water conditions continue to deteriorate.
“I can't do know laundry, I can't do dishes, can't give my kids a bath, I can't cook,” said Paul.
The water is not only staining clothes, but residents say it's affecting their health.
Resident Bernadette Marshall says her community is in a crisis.
“Right now, we are in a state of emergency,” she said. “For such a small community, we have a high percentage of cancer. Lately I've noticed a lot of people going to hospitals for gallbladder operations, colon problems.”
Member of Parliament Rodger Cuzner says the federal government is looking at a short-term fix, but a new water system for the community is still in the design stage and will take some time to complete.
He says the federal minister is aware of the situation.
“The stories around it are horrific,” said Cuzner. “When you see the pictures of the discolouration, the closer to the treatment centre, the darker the water is. Brown, almost black.”
Residents are planning another rally Wednesday night at the community centre to decide their next plan of action against a problem they say has gone on way too long.
“We want to live. Water is survival. Water a sacred. You can't live without water and we have none,” said Bernadette Marshall.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
