Nunavut hamlet enters seventh week of boil water alert

Municipal and territorial officials in Whale Cove have spent the last six weeks trying to find the source of coliform bacteria discovered in the local water system last month. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HAMLET OF WHALE COVE)

A boil water alert in Whale Cove has now entered its seventh week, as officials in the Kivalliq hamlet continue to look for the source of bacteria found in the local water system.

The Government of Nunavut said Sept. 4 that a boil water advisory, first issued July 24, remains in effect for the community of 400.

“This is a precautionary measure based on unacceptable levels of total coliform bacteria in the water system,” said a Sept.4 release from the GN.

“The Department of Health is working with the Department of Community and Government Services to investigate this matter, and additional water tests are being done.”

Tests done on the community’s water plan and water trucks in July revealed high counts of coliforms, bacteria that occurs naturally in plants, soil and in the digestive tracts of humans and animals.

But humans are at risk of becoming ill from water-borne coliform, although health officials confirmed Sept. 8 there has been no illnesses reported related to water consumption in Whale Cove since the advisory went into place.

The Department of Community and Government Services, which manages the local water plant, has “shock chlorinated” and steam washed the plant, the community’s water trucks and water tanks at many facilities in Whale Cove in efforts to disinfect them.

In August, CGS also sent divers into the water plant to disinfect its intake pipe.

Hamlet officials believe the bacteria could have entered the water system in the early summer, when the Kivalliq saw a lot of rainfall.

For now, residents are advised to boil any water they plan to consume by bringing it to a rolling boil for at least one full minute.

That should include any water used for preparing infant formulas, for washing fruit or vegetables, for cooking, brushing teeth or making ice cubes, the health department said.