In late December 2025, a power-line failure cut electricity to Cross Lake, Manitoba, where -35°C temperatures froze the water network and damaged treatment infrastructure, forcing a boil-water advisory and mass evacuations.
Media reports alerted Veolia’s Winnipeg team to the situation. Michael Lavich, Controls Manager, Winnipeg Sewage Treatment Program (WSTP), contacted the community’s Chief, confirmed help was needed, and with Steve Black visited the community to assess conditions with municipal staff and the Canadian Forces. Their audit activated the Veolia Foundation and Veoliaforce emergency-response experts.
The Veolia Foundation deployed two Aquaforce 2000 mobile water treatment units and Veoliaforce experts, overcoming extreme cold logistics, equipment freeze risks and treatment issues (notably high pH limiting chlorine disinfection). With rapid support from Veolia’s North American expert network and on-site training for local First Nations operators, the team stabilized production of safe drinking water in the remote community.