Help is on the way for hundreds of people of Potlotek First Nation living with badly discoloured water
The problem was magnified in a meeting in Dartmouth on Wednesday. Chief Wilbert Marshall says a doctor from Health Canada raised concerns about boiling the water.
"Boiling the water even makes it worse,” said Marshall. “It was the first time I heard this. All the times we were told to boil our water, it only magnified it.”
The Chief is advising his community members not to use the water at all. That's leaving residents upset and angry.
“I'm appalled,” said resident Bernadette Marshall. “I'm sick to my stomach over this. Why did it take this long?”
The provincial government says it has been in contact with the federal government and help is on the way.
“They're looking at what we can do now in the short term,” said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. “This has been going on for quite some time. We need a long-term fix. There's substantial amount of work that'll be required.”
The priority right now is clean water.
“They're bringing in portable showers. They're going to pay to do our laundry in nearby St. Peter's. We can also shower at hotels, the park and they're arranging transportation. They're going to foot the bill,” said Chief Marshall.
A protest in being planned by residents for Friday afternoon.
“What we are going to do is slow traffic down and hand out flyers to make the people aware of what we're going through here in Potlotek First Nation,” said Bernadette Marshall.
Government officials will meet with residents on Tuesday.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
