The community of Kugaaruk, Nunavut, has ended a state of emergency six days after sea water entered the hamlet’s water treatment plant, stopping its ability to produce clean water.
The community of about 1,200 people relied on a water bottle distribution system while local officials worked on pumping water from a backup water source.
Schools closed for several days during the water shortage.
“High tide has pushed sea water into the water plant. Because of this, we cannot make clean water right now,” Hamlet of Kugaaruk officials posted to Facebook on December 7.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
The latest environmental engineering news direct to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
On December 9, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, approved a request for federal assistance from the Government of Nunavut, on behalf of the Inuit community of Kugaaruk. Approval meant support with logistics and the transportation, distribution, and pumping of drinking water, Olszewski said.
The support also included a shipment of bottled water and the deployment of water pumps and supplies to draw water directly from an alternative water source.
The state of emergency ended after local officials secured an adequate supply of bottled water to distribute at key locations in the community. The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed six Canadian Rangers were deployed for 15 days to assist with the distribution.
“Even though the emergency has ended, we will continue to respond to the ongoing water situation,” Hamlet of Kugaaruk officials posted to Facebook on December 12. “The Do Not Consume Advisory is still in place, and we ask everyone to keep using safe drinking water only.”
Tap water was not to be used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or preparing infant formula. That included boiled water and water filtered through filters.
Nunavut’s Health Department said the water could be used for laundry, showering and cleaning.
To help conserve water, the community hosted an online Water Saving Ideas Contest that gave away three $100 gift cards.
