Gjoa Haven water still safe if boiled: top Nunavut doctor

Nunavut’s chief public health officer says she did not observe discoloured or foul-smelling water in Gjoa Haven, where a boil water advisory is into its third month.

Dr. Ekua Agyemang attended a community meeting in the hamlet last Thursday and afterward said in an email to Nunatsiaq News she also did not hear residents complain of illnesses such as stomach flu or upset stomachs linked to the water.

“Public health guidance remains unchanged,” she said. “The water is considered safe to drink when brought to a rolling boil for at least one to three minutes.”

Gjoa Haven has been under a boil water advisory since Jan. 15, when a pipe connecting its water source to the treatment plant broke.

Since then, some residents have raised concerns about discoloured tap water describing a yellow tinge, slimy texture and foul smell.

Nunavut Emergency Management co-hosted the meeting with other agencies to hear directly from residents on the impact of the water service disruption and ongoing repairs to the hamlet’s water main.

Other officials who attended include Kyle Seeley, deputy minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; Kristie Cronin, deputy minister of Community Services; and John Coyne, director of Nunavut Emergency Management.

Gjoa Haven resident Greg Nahagulik holds a cup of yellow-tinged tap water he photographed on Feb. 19. “The community is struggling for clean drinking water,” he said, amid a boil-water advisory and ongoing repairs to a water main break discovered Jan. 15. (Photo by Greg Nahagulik)

“The meeting provided an opportunity for open discussion, and all partners are committed to addressing concerns and improving communication moving forward,” said Ryleigh Hubert, the Nunavut Emergency Management spokesperson, in an email.

“Residents raised concerns about the duration of the boil water advisory, as well as water clarity, taste, and the challenges associated with consistently boiling water for drinking.”

Despite the ongoing disruption, no state of emergency has been declared, she said.

That’s consistent with a March 2 Facebook update from Gjoa Haven Mayor Raymond Quqshuun, who said emergency management officials advised a declaration would not bring additional water shipments and that the water remains safe if boiled.

“Immediate actions focused on maintaining safe access to drinking water and supporting the hamlet with available resources,” Hubert said.

Short-term measures include distributing refillable water containers and installing a portable water dispensing unit, which is pending final testing and approval, she said.

A one-time shipment of bottled water arrived in early March. That same day, a new water truck — the fourth for the community — arrived to help with deliveries.

Nunavut Emergency Management did not provide a timeline for when normal water service will be restored, saying it depends on ongoing assessments and repair work.