For some in Nunavut’s capital, no water again for fifth day

No water from the taps and coffee cups sit in the sink Aug. 12 at the Nunatsiaq News office in Bldg. 157, one of the buildings in Iqaluit which has been without water since Aug. 8. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

No water again for those in this area of Iqaluit, shown in an aerial view from August 2008. (FILE PHOTO)

If you live or work in this area of Iqaluit, shown in an aerial view from August 2008, you won’t have any water today.

The water shut-off will continue in the affected area, the City of Iqaluit said Aug. 12.

That includes buildings 157, 159, 161, 163 on Nipisa St. between Queen Elizabeth Way to Kuugalaaq St., affecting buildings occupied by the Department of Education, Ayaya Marketing and Communications, Quickstop, Video Shack, the Snack, the Nunavut Employees Union and the Qulliq Energy Corp.

Late Aug. 11, it looked as if the water leak in the utilidor system, which supplies water service to that area, would be repaired by the end of the day: the Government of Nunavut and the city sent out a joint health advisory cautioning everyone in that area to boil water once the taps started flowing again.

The city had also announced that its annual staff barbecue would go on as planned, closing municipal offices and services on early on Friday, Aug. 14.

A public service announcement followed from the city at 8:39 p.m., which said “the emergency water shutdown for the affected area will continue into this evening for at least another 3 to 4 hours.”

But on the morning of Aug. 12, the taps still were dry — the fifth day without water in the area.

On Aug. 8 the City decided that an emergency shutdown was necessary because multiple breaks had been found in the utilidor, Iqaluit’s utility corridor which carries drinking water in and grey water and sewage out.

Water will be provided by trucked services on an as-needed basis during the day until 6 p.m, the city said Aug. 12.

If you need water delivery, you can call Public Works Administration at 979-5630 between 8 a.m. and 4 p,m, and City of Iqaluit Dispatch non-emergency line after 4 p.m. at 979-5650.