Military gears up to purify Iqaluit’s water
Canadian Armed Forces preparing 2 reverse osmosis units in Nunavut’s capital
A reverse osmosis water purification unit is rolled off a Canadian Armed Forces CC-177 Globemaster in Iqaluit on Oct. 23. (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces)
The Canadian Armed Forces are preparing to set up two water purification units in Iqaluit to help provide residents with clean water.
The two reverse osmosis units landed in Iqaluit last weekend and will be used to filter and purify water, said Maj. Susan Magill.
The military’s response falls under Operation Lentus, which addresses natural disasters and emergencies.
On Oct. 12, the city and the Government of Nunavut Health Department told residents not to drink the tap water from the municipal water supply because it was suspected it had been contaminated with fuel.
So far, the city has established filling stations to distribute unfiltered water from the Sylvia Grinnell River, which residents have been told to boil before consuming.
The Government of Nunavut has also purchased tens of thousands of litres of bottled water to be given out.
One advantage of the military’s reverse osmosis units is their portability, Magill said. Each machine has its own diesel engine, looks like a sea can and can be loaded on the back of a truck.
“It’s easy to move around,” Magill said, adding each reverse osmosis unit was attached to a truck and rolled out of the plane after landing in Iqaluit.
“We can literally drive [the reverse osmosis unit] to the location it’s going to be placed.”
Magill said a reverse osmosis unit can produce 5,000 litres of water an hour. If the decision is made that the water should go through the water purification process twice, the machine will produce 2,400 litres of water an hour, she added.
The military has been discussing with the city the best location for the reverse osmosis units, Magill said. Sylvia Grinnell River and Lake Geraldine are both under consideration.
The military is prepared to set up the units at either location once the city gives approval, she said.
While the Canadian Forces personnel will purify the water, the city will handle its distribution, Magill said.
When that happens, it will take the military about three days for the reverse osmosis units to be ready, as it takes multiple steps to set up, Magill said.
Weather will present an added challenge for operating the reverse osmosis units. Magill said the water put into the machines needs to be at 8C, so each unit will be kept in a tent and surrounded by heaters.
The military will also need to attach hoses to draw water into the machine and bladders to hold the clean water.
Winter’s approach adds to the urgency of the operation, as water at either Sylvia Grinnell River or Geraldine Lake may freeze before the military’s operation ends.
Magill said the military will have to learn how to deal with the problem of accessing freezing water when it happens.
“We haven’t had to bring a [reverse osmosis unit] up into northern communities before so it’s a challenge for everybody,” she said.
As well, another water quality test at the location will need to be done once the units arrive, Magill said, which could take another 24 hours to process.
“We’re ready to work this machine in this type of climate,” Magill said, adding to military in Iqaluit are eager to start.
Since the reverse osmosis process purifies the water to Canadian standards for drinking water, there will be no need to boil the water once receiving it, she added.
Currently, she said the plan is for this operation to last until Nov. 17, but that the date can be extended.
Along with the reverse osmosis units 20, Canadian Forces personnel have arrived to help set up and run the equipment, Magill said. She added that those personnel include specialists for water quality testing and operating the machine.
The reverse osmosis units have typically been used for responses to natural disasters, which makes Iqaluit a different scenario since the city’s infrastructure is still intact, Magill said.
“The city here is the same as it was except for the fact that [residents] don’t have clean, potable drinking water, which is essential,” Magill said.
they need to reverse osmosis the whole territory
When will this water be available to the public and where?
Unique! The brothers will do their best and then some.
Thanks guys.
The brothers will do their best and the sisters will make sure they’re well fed and always in clean clothes? C’mon Paul. Get with it.
I suppose that Reverse Osmosis is the right technique for removing dissolved metals and similar contaminants from water in the Grinnell River or Geraldine reservoir followed by sterilization, if they plan to by-pass the Water Treatment facility entirely.
But Activated Carbon is the right technique for removing petroleum hydrocarbons from water. Isn’t the City flushing the water pipes then residents will do the same on their last few feet of the water system?
Still not clear what solution is being applied.
No solution is being applied. It’s a case of the blind stumbling in the dark and claiming to be dancing.
All communities need back up systems. Especially if a jet cannot land in that community. Or upgrade landing strips to land jets.
Its an overkill I rather drink the river water naturally I say the treated will smell with way too much chorine by the military.
They are not adding chlorine… if anything reverse osmosis removes chlorine
5000 litres (1320 US gallons) available per hour
1320 gals divided by 500 gallons (average water tank capacity)
1320 divided by 500 gallons equals about 2 and a half houses getting water every hour
My point is that if we use the Army’s treated water, we will never keep up with the water needs of the population.
The above scenario doesn’t take into consideration the people on piped water system.
If they can do this for Iqaluit, then they could do this for reserves too.
Yes they can and would if the Provence or Territory that needed the help submitted a request to the Federal government, assuming that the Feds approved the request.
Sure can, if the civilian authorities make the request first.
Reservations don’t pay taxes, why should they
Maybe just bore some deep wells for them into pure springs.i don’t evan like water quality issues.they recycle water in Arab countrys like drinking out of the toilet.
It’s nice to see the military helping out another third-world country.