Thousands without water in Saskatchewan after town’s supply compromised
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Article contentOUTLOOK — Residents of a central Saskatchewan town aren’t expected to have drinking water for the rest of the week after its supply was compromised.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentKevin Trew, chief administrative officer of Outlook, Sask., says the town shut down its water distribution Monday morning after a staff member found that the hatch to its distribution reservoir was broken.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentThe shutdown leaves about 28,000 people without water, including some residents of nearby communities that share the town’s supply.Article contentArticle contentTrew says the town declared a local state of emergency, which is in effect until Friday.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentHe says residents can now flush water for their toilets, but the town is still under a no-use order, meaning water shouldn’t be consumed or used for cleaning and bathing.Article contentTrew says the break-in at the distribution reservoir was reported to the RCMP.Article content“We do not know if anything was put in (the water). But as a part of the protocols set by Water Security Agency, you have to assume the worst, you have to err on the side of caution and then you have to follow the protocols,” Trew said in an interview Wednesday.Article contentThe town shut off the water supply immediately and began the work of taking all the treated water out of the system and sanitizing the reservoirs, he said.Article contentTrew said residents won’t be able to use tap water until next week, when it can be tested to see if it’s safe.Article contentA notice from the Water Security Agency says residents are warned against trying to treat tap water themselves and should only use bottled water.Article contentThe town is handing out bottled water at the local arena, with each household allowed two, four-litre jugs for free.Article contentThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2025.Article content— By Daniela Germano in EdmontonArticle contentTrending 'Why let one person in the States change your life?' For Canadian snowbirds, the stay or go dilemma gets complicated Real Estate Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?
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Personal Finance Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas