A First Nations community in Cape Breton, N.S., wants the federal government to intervene to help improve their water quality, saying it's leading to health issues for children in the community.
Members of the Potlotek First Nation held a protest on Tuesday to raise awareness about the "disgusting" water they've had for several years and want action taken.
"It's not fit to even take a shower, take a bath or wash your feet with it," resident Mary Millen told CTV Atlantic.
The water ranges in colour from a dull yellow to a dark black on its worst days.
However, the First Nations band council says the water is safe to drink.
"For some reason, from climate change or what have you, the contact period from iron and manganese in the water is grown longer, so that's exacerbating the problem that exists already," says band manager Lindsay Marshall.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned with a promise to end boil-water advisories on reserves within five years, but residents say the health concerns they're witnessing highlights the desperation of the situation.
Patricia Paul, who has two young children, says she went to take a shower today with clear water, however that water soon turned a darker brown colour.
"I feel really gross," she said. "It's disgusting. I showered with rust, metal, dirt, whatever it was."
She said her two sons have had health problems since the issues with the water started.
"I don't know when it's going to stop. They say three to five years. Are we going to have to put up with it for that long?" she said.
With a report from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
