Raw sewage pooling on Manitoba First Nation

After more than a week without running water, people in 42 homes at Roseau River First Nation can once again wash dishes and take showers but a new problem has left raw sewage pooling on the ground just metres from people's homes.

A problem with the water supply system on the reserve was fixed on the weekend, after some homes on the reserve were left without running water for days.

But Tom Henry, who lives in the Roseau River Rapids area, about 30 kilometres east of the reserve, said pumps installed in the area over the summer are draining raw sewage out of septic tanks onto flat ground less than 10 metres from people's homes.

"It's not right to have raw sewage pumped out on top of the ground out here. There's all kinds of health concerns," he said.

The problem was exacerbated at Henry's house after a hose attached to his drain pipe froze over the weekend. Now sewage is draining even closer to his home, turning his yard into an icy pool of urine, feces and water.

"I don't have small children out here, but most of my neighbours do, and their kids play outside. And I just couldn't imagine it you're having your child outside, having to play in this raw sewage."

He's worried the same problem will happen to other homes in the cold weather.

Even neighbours have noticed the problem.

"When the wind comes a certain way, you can really smell it," said Paul Chasky, who lives down the road from Roseau River Rapids. "I don't know what's wrong with these people."

Roseau River Chief Terry Nelson could not be reached for comment.