YELLOWKNIFE (January 16, 2026) - The Chief Environmental Health Officer is advising all residents in Wekweètì to boil their drinking water for at least one minute.

This advisory is precautionary in nature and is due to freezing damage to infrastructure in the community water treatment plant associated with an extended recent power outage. The treatment plant currently cannot properly treat the water. There have been no illnesses associated with drinking water reported in the community. 

YELLOWKNIFE (January 14, 2026) - The Chief Environmental Health Officer is advising all residents in Wrigley to boil their drinking water for at least one minute.

This advisory is precautionary in nature and is due to a critical mechanical failure in the community water treatment system. The treatment plant currently cannot properly treat the water. There have been no illnesses associated with drinking water reported in the community. 

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (December 22, 2025) – The Chief Environmental Health Officer is advising residents of Fort Liard to take simple steps to reduce exposure to Trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water.

Recent laboratory-based testing from the Hamlet of Fort Liard, reviewed by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer, confirms that total THM levels in treated drinking water are above Health Canada’s guideline.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (December 8, 2025) – The Chief Public Health Officer is advising the public of a significant increase in influenza activity in the Northwest Territories, especially in Yellowknife. Most cases are Influenza A (H3 subtypes), and two-thirds are in children and adolescents under 18. This trend is expected to spread to other communities and the general population, especially as the holiday season approaches.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (November 14, 2025) – The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) is warning residents about the recent detection of a highly dangerous drug combination new to the Northwest Territories. A laboratory investigation of a sample from Hay River has tested positive for carfentanil, remifentanil, and cocaine.