Construction to start in 2025 on Iqaluit’s $214M water system upgrade
Councillors receive design updates; public consultations to be held in February
The City of Iqaluit’s management consultant for the long-term water project, Colliers Project Leaders, presented an update on the water project to city council this week. (File photo)
Construction for Iqaluit’s long-term water project is expected to begin in September 2025, according to a consultant’s presentation to city council Tuesday night.
Councillors also received a detailed timeline for the design phase of the project from Ian McBean, the water project management consultant for Colliers Project Leaders, at the meeting.
They saw designs prepared by consulting company Arcadis Canada Inc. for major components of the project including a conveyance pipe, intake station for water, an embankment dam and a water pumping station which would be at Lake Geraldine.
Arcadis noted in a report shared with council that a topographic survey through the project area of Lake Geraldine to council’s preferred water source of Qikiqtalik Lake has been completed, as well as an archeological investigation of the project area and an initial biological field review.
In 2022, the City of Iqaluit received $214 million in federal funding to build a new reservoir and improve the city’s water distribution system. For years, the need for new water infrastructure was seen by many as a barrier to growth and development in the city.
McBean also presented a timeline for finishing the design phase of the project.
The preliminary design is expected to be finished in March, while consultants will send proposals to Nunavut’s various regulatory boards starting throughout the first half of the year.
Construction is expected to start in September 2025.
Coun. Kyle Sheppard noted the need for urgency on the tendering process and shipping timelines.
He pointed out that since construction work will have to stop in the winter, any delays could mean work slated for the fall of 2025 might be pushed back to spring 2026.
Both Sheppard and Coun. Harry Flaherty asked for more regular updates on the project, noting the volume of information that was presented to council.
“There’s a lot of documents provided in front of us and having a snapshot of the project is ideal,” Flaherty said.
McBean said Colliers would be able to provide monthly updates on the project.
Public consultations are scheduled for February to update residents on the project and its timeline.
well i wonder who will make the decision as to what company does the construction? because if it is this council then either it will be a friend… or no decision will be made until only the friend is available.
also “Coun. Kyle Sheppard noted the need for urgency on the tendering process and shipping timelines.”
Thats rich because we know how much Council loves making quick decisions.
As much as I don’t like Trudeau and the liberals I have to acknowledge all the infrastructure funding they have given to the north and Nunavut.
Some smaller infrastructure in the communities and some very big projects like this one.
$2.5M for every 1% incress in Iqaluit’s winter water supply. Outrageously expensive, but much needed.
Free $$ to waste nothing will ever happen or change 🤣 bye bye taxpayers $$ 😭
That’s a lot of money for an incomplete Council to spend.
They think that 214M will be enough; the councilors are fooling themselves. They will start this process and only then will they realize that 214M is not nearly enough, and are committed to seeing the project through and nowhere else to get money except for the taxpayers of this fair town. Don’t believe me just look into the water project in Resolute Bay – town of less than 200 was more than 214M and didn’t include a new reservoir.
Pretty sure that resolute upgrade was 40m and the population is over 200. Not saying projects don’t go over budget, but claiming 214m isn’t sufficient without having any of the details, seems abit too confident.