Tap water is safe for everyone. Comprehensive water testing confirms manganese levels are below the Health Canada limits
(Fort McMurray, AB – July 9, 2026) – Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has lifted the Do Not Consume Water Advisory for infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay, confirming that tap water is safe for everyone.
With the Do Not Consume Water Advisory lifted, regular use of tap water may resume.
Members of the Fort McKay First Nation, Fort McKay Métis Nation and all residents in Fort McKay using the municipal water system should run their taps for 10-15 minutes to clear the water lines in their home. While tap water is meeting the regulations in place, there may be times when there is a temporary slight discolouration in the water, but it remains fine to use normally. Operators are continuing to optimize the treatment process to handle the higher level of sediment in the source water from the Ells River.
Appliances with waterline connections, such as refrigerator water and ice dispensers, should also be flushed.
With the Do Not Consume Advisory lifted, bottled water is no longer available.
While operators successfully restored regular water service, enhanced monitoring and testing will continue to ensure that manganese levels stay within the acceptable limit.
A Do Not Consume Water Advisory was issued on June 29 by Indigenous Services Canada for infants, children under 13 years of age, and pregnant women in Fort McKay. While the Advisory is no longer in effect, it was put in place due to high levels of sediment in the source water from the Ells River causing manganese levels to exceed the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines.
For more information, visit rmwb.ca/FortMcKayWater.
For more information or questions, contact Pulse at rmwb.ca/pulse or by calling 780-743-7000 or toll-free 1-800-973-9663.
FAQs
What does flushing the water distribution system mean?
Flushing means cleaning the pipes by increasing the flow of water to remove sediment and other built-up material.
Tap water continues to be available during flushing. You may notice the water pressure and appearance fluctuating at times. If tap water appears cloudy during flushing, please run your cold taps for 10-15 minutes, or until the water runs clear.
What caused the Do Not Consume Advisory to be issued?
Spring runoff and large amounts of precipitation in areas of Alberta have caused unseasonably high levels of sediment in the Ells River, which is the source water for the treatment process. These sediments carry with them naturally occurring organics and metals, including manganese.
The elevated levels of sediments are causing challenges at the water treatment plant, especially filtering out and treating the higher levels of organic material and metals, such as manganese. While there are no provincial regulations for manganese, there are federal guidelines and the current levels exceed these guidelines.
Why was there not a Do Not Consume Advisory issued earlier?
Water quality is rigorously monitored and the levels of manganese in the source water and treated water continue to fluctuate regularly. There are no provincial regulations for manganese, but Health Canada does have guidelines for the limit of manganese in treated water, which is 0.12 mg/L. The levels of manganese in the treated water in Fort McKay have been fluctuating within and over the Health Canada guidelines since June 24.
The Do Not Consume advisory for children was issued due to manganese levels remaining elevated over the Health Canada guidelines for approximately 36-48 hours and not dropping below the limit during this time. While the Municipality adheres to the provincial water quality regulations, we are advising infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay to not consume the water due to manganese levels remaining elevated over the Health Canada limit.
Who is the Do Not Consume Advisory issued for?
The Do Not Consume Advisory is for infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women that use the municipal water treatment plant in Fort McKay.
Drinking water that contains high levels of manganese may create health risks for brain development in infants and children.
Tap water, even if boiled, should not be consumed by infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women. This includes for:
· Drinking
· Preparing baby food or infant formula
· Making ice cubes, soups, juices, or other mixes
· Food preparation, including washing fruits and vegetables
· Cooking
· Brushing teeth
For adults and older children, Health Canada advises that short-term exposure to manganese in drinking water slightly above the guideline is unlikely to cause negative health effects.
Does boiling the water make it safe?
No. Boiling water does not remove manganese. Boiling water can cause higher concentrations of manganese due to the water evaporating.
What can tap water be used for?
Tap water can be used for showering, washing clothes and hand-washing. Tap water can also continue to be consumed and used normally by older children and adults. As long as it is not consumed by infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women.
Who issued the Do Not Consume Advisory?
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has issued a Do Not Consume Advisory for infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women using municipal water in Fort McKay First Nation.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) issues all formal water advisories for areas in the Municipality as they are the regulator for all RMWB water treatment plants. Currently, AHS has not issued a formal Do Not Consume Advisory. The Municipality is recommending that all infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay follow the Do Not Consume Advisory guidelines issued by ISC and not to consume any tap water at this time.
What is the municipality doing to fix this problem?
Crews expect to begin flushing the water distribution system on Monday, July 6, and may complete the process on Wednesday. The Municipality is working closely with Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas on the flushing plan.
Once flushing is complete, comprehensive testing must be completed to ensure the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines before regular water service can be restored and the Do Not Consume Advisory can be lifted by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Collecting water samples and receiving results typically takes a few days.
The Municipality has been providing water quality results to subject matter experts at Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Indigenous Services Canada, and Alberta Health Services. The Municipality continues to work closely with the Nations and other levels of government to maintain transparent communication and support informed decision-making regarding water use.
Why is the water brown or discoloured?
Discolouration occurs when naturally occurring manganese or iron reacts with chlorine or oxygen, forming small visible particles that change the water’s colour.
Does brown water mean manganese levels are getting worse?
No. Water colour alone does not indicate manganese levels. Manganese can be present even when water looks clear.
Are manganese levels and discolouration the same issue?
They are related but different. Manganese is present in the water, while discolouration is a visible effect that occurs when it reacts. Iron can also contribute to similar colour.
Why does the water sometimes look clear and then turn brown?
Water may appear clear initially because manganese and iron are dissolved. As water moves through the system, they can react and become visible, causing discolouration.
Why does manganese cause discolouration?
Manganese is naturally present in water sources and can create brown or dark colour when it reaches certain levels, even at relatively low concentrations.
Does discoloured water mean it is unsafe to drink?
Not necessarily. Health Canada sets:
Water can appear discoloured but still be within safe drinking levels. Colour alone cannot indicate water safety.
When will this water issue be resolved?
After flushing is complete, water samples will need to be collected for testing and will take a couple of days to get the results. If the test results show that the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines, then the Do Not Consume Water Advisory can be lifted by ISC.
The Municipality continues to work closely with Fort McKay Métis Nation, Fort McKay First Nation, Indigenous Services Canada, Environment and Protected Areas, Alberta Health Services and other partners to support the community and restore regular water service.
Until the Do Not Consume Advisory is lifted, free bottled water will be available for all Fort McKay residents and Fort McKay First Nation members using the municipal water system.
Fort McKay Metis and Fort McKay residents: Bottled water will be available for pick-up at the Metis Community Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Fort McKay First Nation: Bottled water is being delivered to members. If you live on reserve and need water delivered, please call 780-828-5555.
One case of bottled water per person will be available every three days.
Updates will continue to be shared with the community. All updates and copies of the Do Not Consume Advisory can be found at rmwb.ca/FortMcKayWater.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, toll free at 1-800-973-9663 or at rmwb.ca/pulse.
Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant Update - July 5, 2026
Do Not Consume Water Advisory still in effect for children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay. Flushing of the water system expected to begin Monday, July 6, followed by additional water testing.
(Fort McKay, AB – July 5, 2026) - Crews expect to begin flushing the water distribution system on Monday, July 6, and may complete the process on Wednesday. The Municipality is working closely with Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas on the flushing plan.
Once flushing is complete, comprehensive testing must be completed to ensure the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines before regular water service can be restored and the Do Not Consume Advisory can be lifted by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Collecting water samples and receiving results typically takes a few days.
Infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay are advised to not consume water from the Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant until water testing shows that the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Indigenous Services Canada issued the Do Not Consume Advisory on June 29, 2026. The Do Not Consume Advisory does not apply to older children and adults.
Flushing means cleaning the pipes by increasing the flow of water to remove sediment and other built-up material.
Tap water will continue to be available during flushing. You may notice the water pressure and appearance fluctuating at times. If tap water appears cloudy during flushing, please run your cold taps for 10-15 minutes, or until the water runs clear.
When flushing begins, you may see crews opening fire hydrants as part of the flushing process.
Tap water, even if boiled, should not be consumed by infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women. This includes for:
Drinking
Preparing baby food or infant formula
Making ice cubes, soups, juices, or other mixes
Food preparation, including washing fruits and vegetables
Cooking
Brushing teeth
Until the Do Not Consume Advisory is lifted, free bottled water will be available for all Fort McKay residents and Fort McKay First Nation members using the municipal water system.
Fort McKay Metis and Fort McKay residents: Bottled water will be available for pick-up at the Metis Community Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Fort McKay First Nation: Bottled water is being delivered to members. If you live on reserve and need water delivered, please call 780-828-5555.
One case of bottled water per person will be available every three days.
After flushing is complete, water samples will need to be collected for testing and will take a couple of days to get the results. If the test results show that the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines, then the Do Not Consume Water Advisory can be lifted by ISC.
The Municipality continues to work closely with Fort McKay Métis Nation, Fort McKay First Nation, Indigenous Services Canada, Environment and Protected Areas, Alberta Health Services and other partners to support the community and restore regular water service.
Review the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Updates will continue to be shared with the community. All updates and copies of the Do Not Consume Advisory can be found at rmwb.ca/FortMcKayWater.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, toll free at 1-800-973-9663 or at rmwb.ca/pulse.
Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant Update - July 2, 2026
(Fort McKay, AB – July 2, 2026) - Operators at the Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant are making progress on bringing manganese levels down to meet the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines and restore the normal appearance of tap water. Over the past 48 hours, manganese levels continued to decline but remain slightly above the federal guidelines.
Infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay are advised to not consume water from the Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant, due to current manganese levels that exceed the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) issued the Do Not Consume Advisory on June 29, 2026.
Tap water, even if boiled, should not be consumed by infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women. This includes for:
Until the Do Not Consume Advisory is lifted, free bottled water will be available for all Fort McKay residents and Fort McKay First Nation members using the municipal water system.
Fort McKay Metis and Fort McKay residents: Bottled water will be available for pick-up at the Metis Community Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Fort McKay First Nation: Bottled water is being delivered to members. If you live on reserve and need water delivered, please call 780-828-5555.
One case of bottled water per person will be available every three days.
While good progress is being made, it is still too early to tell. Before the Do Not Consume Water Advisory can be lifted by ISC, several steps need to occur to ensure the water can be used normally by everyone.
Once the plant begins consistently producing water that meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines, additional testing must be completed at every step in the Fort McKay water system. Then the pipes in the distribution system must be flushed again to help clean and remove any remaining discoloration. After flushing, additional rounds of testing will be completed to ensure water continues to meet the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. The additional testing and flushing could take multiple days and we expect to have more details on when regular water service will be restored once the flushing process begins.
Review the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Updates will continue to be shared with the community. All updates and copies of the Do Not Consume Advisory can be found at rmwb.ca/FortMcKayWater.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, toll free at 1-800-973-9663 or at rmwb.ca/pulse.
Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant Update - June 29, 2026
Infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women should not drink tap water, including boiled water, or use tap water to prepare formula. Do Not Consume Advisory does not apply to older children and adults.
(Fort McMurray, AB – June 29, 2026) Infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay are advised to not consume water from the Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant, due to current manganese levels that exceed the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has issued a Do Not Consume Advisory for infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women using municipal water in Fort McKay. Manganese levels in water produced by the Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant are fluctuating regularly and currently above the federal Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. There are no provincial regulations for manganese in drinking water.
The Do Not Consume Advisory does not apply to older children and adults as Health Canada advises that elevated manganese levels are unlikely to cause negative side effects.
Tap water, even if boiled, should not be consumed by infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women. This includes for:
The spring runoff and the large amounts of precipitation in areas of Alberta have caused unseasonably high levels of sediment in the source water from Ells River, which is the source water used in the treatment process. These sediments carry with them naturally occurring organics and metals, including manganese.
Elevated levels of organic material in the source water require ongoing adjustments to the treatment process and it can be hard on the equipment at the plant as more organic material needs to be filtered out.
Why are high manganese levels particularly a health concern for infants?
Drinking water that contains high levels of manganese may create health risks for brain development in infants.
For adults and children over the age of 13, Health Canada advises that short-term exposure to manganese in drinking water slightly above the guideline is unlikely to cause negative health effects.
Free bottled water is available for all Fort McKay residents and Fort McKay First Nation members using the municipal water system. Bottled water will be available for pick-up at the zamboni doors on the northeast side of the Fort McKay arena from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
one case of bottled water per person will be available every three days for pick-up. Fort McKay First nation will be distributing water at the pickup location.
The municipality is also dropping off 60 cases of water at the Fort McKay Band Office for them to distribute to their members.
While current conditions of the source water are still causing challenges, the Municipality is working closely with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) to restore regular water service as quickly as possible. Water from the Fort McMurray Water Treatment Plant is being trucked in and added to the Fort McKay system to reduce the manganese levels. Crews are working around-the-clock adjusting and optimizing the filtration and treatment process to handle fluctuating levels of manganese in the source water.
Additional enhanced water quality testing and a comprehensive monitoring plan are being implemented and will continue to be in place until further notice.
Review the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Updates will continue to be shared with the community. All updates and copies of the Do Not Consume Advisory can be found at rmwb.ca/water.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, toll free at 1-800-973-9663 or at rmwb.ca/pulse.
Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant Update - June 26, 2026
Community Notice: Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant Update - June 26, 2026
Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant Update - June 23, 2026
Community notice: Fort McKay Water Treatment Plant Update - June 23, 2026
Archived FAQs
Who is the Do Not Consume Advisory issued for?
The Do Not Consume Advisory is for infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women that use the municipal water treatment plant in Fort McKay.
Drinking water that contains high levels of manganese may create health risks for brain development in infants and children.
Tap water, even if boiled, should not be consumed by infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women. This includes for:
· Drinking
· Preparing baby food or infant formula
· Making ice cubes, soups, juices, or other mixes
· Food preparation, including washing fruits and vegetables
· Cooking
· Brushing teeth
For adults and older children, Health Canada advises that short-term exposure to manganese in drinking water slightly above the guideline is unlikely to cause negative health effects.
Does boiling the water make it safe?
No. Boiling water does not remove manganese. Boiling water can cause higher concentrations of manganese due to the water evaporating.
What can tap water be used for?
Tap water can be used for showering, washing clothes and hand-washing. Tap water can also continue to be consumed and used normally by older children and adults. As long as it is not consumed by infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women.
Who issued the Do Not Consume Advisory?
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has issued a Do Not Consume Advisory for infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women using municipal water in Fort McKay First Nation.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) issues all formal water advisories for areas in the Municipality as they are the regulator for all RMWB water treatment plants. Currently, AHS has not issued a formal Do Not Consume Advisory. The Municipality is recommending that all infants, children up to 13 years of age and pregnant women in Fort McKay follow the Do Not Consume Advisory guidelines issued by ISC and not to consume any tap water at this time.
What is the municipality doing to fix this problem?
Crews expect to begin flushing the water distribution system on Monday, July 6, and may complete the process on Wednesday. The Municipality is working closely with Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas on the flushing plan.
Once flushing is complete, comprehensive testing must be completed to ensure the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines before regular water service can be restored and the Do Not Consume Advisory can be lifted by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Collecting water samples and receiving results typically takes a few days.
The Municipality has been providing water quality results to subject matter experts at Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Indigenous Services Canada, and Alberta Health Services. The Municipality continues to work closely with the Nations and other levels of government to maintain transparent communication and support informed decision-making regarding water use.
When will this water issue be resolved?
After flushing is complete, water samples will need to be collected for testing and will take a couple of days to get the results. If the test results show that the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines, then the Do Not Consume Water Advisory can be lifted by ISC.
The Municipality continues to work closely with Fort McKay Métis Nation, Fort McKay First Nation, Indigenous Services Canada, Environment and Protected Areas, Alberta Health Services and other partners to support the community and restore regular water service.
Until the Do Not Consume Advisory is lifted, free bottled water will be available for all Fort McKay residents and Fort McKay First Nation members using the municipal water system.
Fort McKay Metis and Fort McKay residents: Bottled water will be available for pick-up at the Metis Community Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Fort McKay First Nation: Bottled water is being delivered to members. If you live on reserve and need water delivered, please call 780-828-5555.
One case of bottled water per person will be available every three days.
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