4 years after getting $214M from Ottawa, Iqaluit’s new reservoir is in procurement phase
Update on Long-term water project coming to council this month, city says
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seen on the video screen in this April 1, 2022, file photo, announces the federal government’s plan to give $214 million towards upgrades to the City of Iqaluit’s water supply. On Wednesday, the four-year anniversary of the announcement, the city had little to say about the project, but said to expect a public update later this month. (File photo by David Venn)
Updated on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 3:40 p.m. ET.
As the four-year anniversary of the federal government’s announcement of $214 million for Iqaluit to upgrade its water supply and storage system passes, a major component of the project is still in the procurement phase.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced April 1, 2022, that Ottawa would pay for the construction of a new water supply system in the territorial capital, including a new reservoir and the renewal of critical pipelines.
The city had suffered recurring water shortages due to drought conditions, hampering growth in the city.
The announcement also came on the heels of a water crisis in the city. Fuel was discovered in the water supply in October 2021, leading to a do-not-consume order while city officials determined the source of the contamination and scrubbed water tanks and lines clean.
Trudeau said then that making sure Iqaluit had clean drinking water was a “top priority” for the federal government.
Nunatsiaq News requested an interview with city staff this week for an update on the water project’s status to mark the four-year anniversary of the funding announcement.
Spokesperson Geoff Byrne declined, but said to expect an update this month.
“We are preparing to bring an update on the long-term water system project to council on April 14,” Byrne said in an email, adding the city would be in a “better position” to provide answers after that meeting.
Byrne provided some information on the status of the reservoir project.
“With respect to the reservoir component, it is currently in the procurement phase. As this is an active and competitive procurement process, the city is not able to comment on specific details at this stage,” Byrne said.
The City of Iqaluit’s tenders and proposals site indicate that a search for qualified contractors opened and closed last fall.
In August 2024, councillors picked a reservoir design option, which project managers Colliers Project Leaders said could result in the start of construction in 2026.
Byrne did not answer questions about project timelines or the amount of money the city has spent so far.
A federal government public dashboard indicates that it has disbursed $19.1 million of the $214 million it has committed to cover the full cost of the Iqaluit long-term water project.
Correction: This article has been updated from its originally published version to clarify the two part of Iqaluit’s long-term water project are the construction of a new reservoir and the renewal of pipework.
The Kenny Bell gift that keeps on giving 🙂 way to go Kenny!!!!
$19 million spent so far, and not a thing to show for it. Not a single drop of water.
Iqaluit has 7,500 residents. $214M is more than $28,000 per person. Ridiculous!
Pretty sure all the new water lines they put in Legoland which required them to dig up the entire street and for us to loose parking and block the entire road for a few months was related to the city water upgrades……. That did not look cheap.
How much was already spent in the South of this $214,00,000.00?
Also it is worth noting April first is also referred to as April Fool’s day.