Boil water first, GN health advises water-deprived Iqaluit residents

A small stream flows down an Iqaluit street Aug. 10 while City of Iqaluit workers try to fix a leak in the utilidor system. When the water comes back on, you’ll need to boil it first before drinking it. (FILE PHOTO)

If you’re affected by water main repairs now underway in Iqaluit, you’ll want to boil your water before you drink it.

The Government of Nunavut’s health department and the City of Iqaluit have issued a new boil water advisory for buildings 157, 159, 161, 163 on Nipisa St., between Queen Elizabeth Way and Kuugalaaq St.

The advisory also affects the adult education services and early childhood education office of the GN’s education department, Ayaya Marketing and Communications, the Quickstop, Video Shack, the Snack, the Nunavut Employees Union and the Qulliq Energy Corp.

Residential apartments at these addresses are also affected, the advisory said.

And even when water service resumes, if you live or work in the affected area of Iqaluit, the GN and the city say you must boil your water before drinking it — as “a precautionary measure due to the water main break and repair.”

During a boil water advisory, you need to bring water to a rolling boil for a at least a minute.

You can boil the water in a pot or kettle, on a stove or in an electric kettle without an automatic shut-off.

You don’t have to boil your water to take a bath or washing dishes.

But you should use it to:

• prepare infant formulas, juices and ice cubes;

• wash fruits and vegetables;

• cook; and,

• brush teeth.