May 28 – Whycocomagh Update – Water Pick-Up and Voucher Program

Whycocomagh Boil Water Advisory Update – Water Pick-Up and Voucher Program

The boil water advisory remains in effect for users of the Whycocomagh water system as of today, May 28, 2026.

The Municipality anticipates the advisory will remain in place through the weekend. Public Works staff are actively investigating the cause in consultation with a senior hydrogeologist and a well drilling company. A camera inspection of the wells is scheduled for early next week.

To support residents during the advisory, the Municipality is continuing its drinking water pick-up program and introducing a water voucher program.

Drinking Water Pick-Up

The Municipality will again partner with the Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department on Friday, May 29, to provide an additional water pick-up opportunity to help ensure residents have enough drinking water for the weekend.

Water Pick-Up Details
Date: Friday, May 29
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department, 9519 Trans Canda Highway, Whycocomagh

Impacted residents may collect two four-litre jugs of drinking water per person, to a maximum of six jugs per household:

• One-person household: two jugs (8 litres)
• Two-person household: four jugs (16 litres)
• Three or more people: six jugs (24 litres)

Water Voucher Program

In addition to the water pick-up program, the Municipality is partnering with the Whycocomagh Co-op to provide water vouchers.

During the Friday, May 29 water pick-up, residents may collect a voucher to be redeemed at the Whycocomagh Co-op (9402 Highway 105, Whycocomagh) for bottled water.

The voucher program will provide one four-litre jug of drinking water per person, to a maximum of three jugs per household:

• One-person household: one jug (4 litres)
• Two-person household: two jugs (8 litres)
• Three or more people: three jugs (12 litres)

Vouchers may only be redeemed at the Whycocomagh Co-op location.

Reminders

• Residents requiring assistance with water or voucher pick-up are asked to contact the Municipality’s Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4.
• If the boil water advisory remains in effect on Monday, arrangements will be made for another water pick-up next week.
• Updates will continue to be shared on invernesscounty.ca and on the Municipality’s Facebook page. Residents are encouraged to check these sources regularly for the latest information.
• Residents with additional questions may contact the Municipality’s Public Works Department at 1-866-258-0223, option 4 or email Publicworks@invernesscounty.ca .

The Municipality extends sincere appreciation to the Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department and Whycocomagh Co-op for their support and partnership, as well as to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality for assisting with obtaining and transporting water to Whycocomagh. The Municipality also thanks residents for their continued patience while staff investigate the issue.

Background

The Municipality of Inverness County issued a boil water advisory on May 22 for the Whycocomagh water system due to high turbidity, which caused slight discolouration in the water. As a precaution, residents are advised to boil water before using it for drinking or food preparation.