A broken one-inch pipe in a fourth-floor washroom caused a flood that damaged 25 percent of Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora, Ontario, officials confirmed Friday.
The May 6th incident was initially blamed on an "infrastructure failure." The hospital's aging infrastructure, some dating back to 1929, has been a known issue. A 2021 assessment identified $53.8 million in deficiencies, a figure reduced to $37.2 million with provincial support.
Provincial officials have pledged $50 million for a new hospital, which would modernize the ER, expand diagnostic imaging, and provide dedicated Indigenous health spaces.
While the emergency department remains open, all surgeries have been cancelled. Hospital staff's quick response limited the damage, but officials warn the flood will further strain capacity ahead of the summer season.