The water in Garden Hill Anisininew Nation is safe to drink again, RCMP say in a news release about charges against three men after a break-in at a water treatment plant last week.
The shut down the water plant for several days, and residents were advised to drink bottled water in the First Nation, which is about 475 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.
An 18-year-old man from the community is charged with breaking and entering with intent, theft over $5,000, mischief over $5,000 with damage to property, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and failing to comply with an undertaking, police said in a news release Tuesday. He’s being held in custody.
A 20-year-old man, also from Garden Hill, is charged with breaking and entering with intent, theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He’s been released on an undertaking.
A 53-year-old man from Oxford House is charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and was also released.
Police believe the break-in happened between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on April 29, RCMP said in a news release last week.
Power tools valued at more than $100,000 were stolen, and some of the plant’s machinery was damaged, leaving the water treatment plant inoperable.
Police said they seized tools from two homes in Garden Lake.
At least 15 dialysis patients had to be moved out of the Island Lake area because of the lack of treated water in the community. Garden Hill is the site of the renal health program for the area, which includes St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack and Red Sucker Lake Anisininew Nation.
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