Thousands of litres of free bottled water are pouring into North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

The North Battleford community has been dealing with tainted water for more than two weeks. The water in the city is still not drinkable.

Last month, the parasite, cryptosporidium was detected in the drinking water. Hundreds of people have been sick with stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea.

North Battleford
North Battleford

Health officials now say two deaths suspected of being caused by the cryptosporidium parasite were not linked to the contamination, and that it may only have been a contributing factor in the third case.

Officials said Wednesday that the parasite was not present in the four patients with gastroenteritis who remain in hopsital.

But people in North Battleford are still boiling their water. Some people in North Battleford told their city council on Monday night they would never drink the city's water again.

Volunteers are dropping off the free bottled water to those who couldn't drive to water distribution points. The elderly, physically disabled, and day care centres will be the first to receive the water says a city commissioner.

More water from retailers and the Red Cross is expected later this week. For now, the people of North Battleford expect to keep boiling their water for the next few weeks.