New water truck, bottled water shipment bring relief to Gjoa Haven

Gjoa Haven residents are getting some relief from the community’s ongoing water service disruption with Monday’s delivery of a new water truck and a separate shipment of bottled water that was being distributed Tuesday.

Mayor Raymond Quqshuun outlined the measures being taken to maintain access to safe drinking water in a Facebook post Monday.

“Over the past several weeks, our community has been facing significant challenges with our water system and equipment,” said Quqshuun.

“I know this has caused frustration and concern for many residents. When water service is disrupted, it affects everyone’s daily life.”

Quqshuun said water delivery to homes is continuing and residents can safely consume water that has been boiled for at least one minute. The mayor could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

On Jan. 15, a break was discovered in a water main, affecting a six-kilometre underground pipeline that carries water from Swan Lake to Gjoa Haven’s treatment plant.

Winter conditions make repairs challenging, as the insulated pipeline runs through permafrost, and attempts at temporary fixes have only a brief window before the line risks freezing.

While water is being delivered by truck to residents and businesses, the community remains under a boil water advisory.

Quqshuun said a local state of emergency was not declared because emergency management officials advised it would not bring additional water shipments since water is still being delivered and is safe when boiled.

The hamlet is working with Nunavut Emergency Management and the territorial government to bring in water dispensers to be placed at stores and a portable water filtration unit, he said.

Meanwhile, a one-time shipment of bottled water arrived Monday.

Deliveries began Tuesday, starting with elders, a hamlet Facebook post said Tuesday.

Residents were asked to register with the hamlet to ensure fair distribution.

The new water truck — the fourth for the community — arrived Monday on a chartered C-130 Hercules airplane operated by Lynden Air Cargo, according to the FlightAware tracking website.

The plane, carrying heavy equipment needed for water delivery, was unloaded at around 4:53 p.m. MT before departing the community an hour later for Yellowknife.

Canadian North and Lynden Air Cargo collaborate on one-time charters like this to transport oversized or heavy cargo to remote communities.

“The Hercules aircraft’s large cargo door and payload capacity allow it to move equipment that cannot be transported on other aircraft operated by Canadian carriers,” said Hance Colburne, manager of communications and stakeholder relations for Canadian North.

Quqshuun said the community’s three existing water and sewer trucks are operational and that the hamlet continues to provide ice to residents, following guidance from elders that the ice is safe to use.

“Council and staff remain focused on keeping water moving and keeping residents safe. We will continue to share updates as work progresses,” he said.

“We are a strong community. We take care of each other. We will get through this.”