Rangers reach Puvirnituq to help distribute water as crisis nears 10 weeks
Mayor warns to stay away from temporary pipeline to avoid damaging it
A 2.9-kilometre temporary water pipeline will help Puvirnituq while it waits for parts from England needed to repair the main pipeline. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Desteredjian, KRG)
Canadian Rangers have arrived in Puvirnituq to aid the community during its ongoing water crisis, which started more than nine weeks ago.
“Canadian Rangers will assist with the transportation and distribution of drinking water and other essential supplies to help ease the burden on the community,” said Kened Sadiku, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defence, in an email.
“They will also provide logistical support, including assistance with setting up and staffing community services centres, as resources allow.”
The number of rangers in the community will depend on availability, community capacity, and what help is needed, Sadiku said.
A boil water advisory was issued in Puvirnituq on March 18 after community’s main water pipe froze and broke. Since then, efforts have been focused on installing a 2.9-kilometre temporary bypass to transport water from the pump at the river to the water filtration plant in the village.
This map shows where the 2.9-kilometre temporary pipeline passes through Puvirnituq to connect the pump to the water filtration plant. (Screenshot courtesy of KRG/Google Maps)
Residents have since been using trucked-in untreated water from the river. However, that effort was hampered by winter weather and the fact some trucks are out of commission and awaiting repairs. A permanent replacement for the broken pipe must be shipped in from England, Mayor Lucy Qalingo said.
Puvirnituq Mayor Lucy Qalingo posted a video online showing snowmobile tracks crossing over the temporary pipeline, and a tear in it which is spraying water. (Screenshot from Facebook/Lucy Qalingo)
On Facebook, the Kativik Regional Government said it has conducted a “multi-agency effort to clear the roads in Puvirnituq, allowing for the successful installation of a temporary water bypass.”
In a separate post, KRG advised residents to be mindful of the location of the water bypass pipeline, especially for snowmobiles that may drive over it by accident. That could damage the line and cause further disruptions in water distribution.
Qalingo posted a video on Facebook showing a tear in the temporary bypass pipeline. Snowmobile tracks are crossing the site of the rupture, which is spraying water.
Are there any men in the community willing to help?
Too busy on their cellphones…taking pictures!