A local state of emergency has been declared in the town of Outlook, Saskatchewan, after a break-in at a key water facility compromised the municipal supply, leaving approximately 28,000 residents in the town and surrounding areas without safe drinking water for the rest of the week.
Emergency Declared Following Reservoir Vandalism
The crisis began on Monday morning, December 17, 2025, when a town staff member discovered a broken hatch at the distribution reservoir. Town officials immediately shut down the water system and contacted the RCMP to report the break-in. Kevin Trew, Outlook's Chief Administrative Officer, stated that while it is unknown if anything was introduced into the water, protocols from the Water Security Agency require assuming the worst-case scenario.
"We have to err on the side of caution and follow the protocols," Trew explained in an interview on Wednesday. The town's swift action triggered a full-scale response, including draining all treated water from the system and beginning a thorough sanitization of the reservoirs.
Widespread Impact and No-Use Order
The shutdown affects a significant population. The town of Outlook, located about 80 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon, provides water to several nearby communities, bringing the total number of impacted people to roughly 28,000. The local state of emergency is officially in effect until Friday, December 20, 2025.
While residents can now use water to flush toilets, a strict no-use order remains for all other purposes. This means tap water must not be consumed, used for cooking, cleaning, or bathing. The Water Security Agency has explicitly warned residents against attempting to treat the water themselves, advising exclusive use of bottled water.
Bottled Water Distribution and Safety Timeline
To support residents, the town is coordinating a bottled water distribution effort at the local arena. Each household is eligible to receive two free four-litre jugs. Officials have indicated that the tap water will not be cleared for use until safety testing is completed, which is not expected until sometime next week.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the extensive public health protocols activated when a water supply is potentially threatened. Residents of Outlook and the affected region must now rely on emergency provisions as authorities work to restore and certify the safety of their primary water source.
