Iqaluit expects to see new reservoir
by 2031, city says
$214-million federal commitment coming to fruition four years after being announced
Iqaluit’s new water reservoir is planned to be built next to the existing Lake Geraldine water source. If all goes to plan, it will be finished by 2031. (File photo)
Iqaluit’s new water reservoir could be ready by 2031 if all goes according to schedule, city councillors were told Tuesday night.
Councillors expected to hear an update from Kevin Kerr, the City of Iqaluit’s director of engineering and capital projects, during their regular council meeting. He appeared virtually but had to cut short his presentation after technical issues arose.
The new reservoir is planned for beside the existing Lake Geraldine water source. It’s currently in the review process through the Nunavut Impact Review Board, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Nunavut Water Board.
Early construction work is scheduled to begin this fall, according to the timeline provided in the council agenda.
The reservoir is part of a $214-million funding package the federal government announced in 2022 to upgrade Iqaluit’s water system.
The city is also improving its water distribution, which includes an already completed expansion of a utilidor along Federal Road and upgrades to pipelines on Astro Hill.
The federal money was announced after a roughly two-month water crisis in the city. Fuel was discovered in the water supply in October 2021, leading to a do-not-consume order.
The city has suffered multiple water shortages over the past several years, due to drought conditions.
Once completed, the water project is expected to “meet the city’s continued growth for the next 100 years,” according to a document provided to the Nunavut Impact Review Board in December 2025.
Kerr is set to make his presentation during the next council meeting, scheduled for April 28.
Nice. Way better than water trucks sewage trucks loud engines. Here in arviat anyway causes headaches and stomach aches.