Seawater infiltration into Kugaaruk’s water plant caused by supermoon

Seawater entry into Kugaaruk’s water treatment facility appears to have been caused by a celestial event.

“Unusually high supermoon tides caused seawater to travel upriver and enter the community’s water treatment plant,” said Michelle Byers, Kugaaruk’s senior administrative officer, in an email.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest orbit around Earth, with the most recent supermoon event occurring Dec. 4.

The moon is also approaching a phase of its own orbital cycle around Earth that exaggerates its impact on tides.

Saltwater was not delivered to any homes, Byers noted.

“The plant, located approximately two kilometres from town along the river, automatically shut down as designed to protect the system,” she said.

Hamlet officials declared a local state of emergency Sunday after discovering the problem.

An emergency water pump, supplies and 5,000 litres of bottled water arrived in Kugaaruk, which has a population of just over 1,000 people, on Monday evening, said Ryleigh McPherson, spokesperson for Nunavut Emergency Management, in an email.

The pumps will be installed at a secondary water source known locally as “swimming lake.” Once finished, water truck deliveries will begin as soon as possible.

A separate boil water advisory was issued Nov. 10 and remains in place.

“We do not yet have a timeline for when normal operations will resume,” Byers said.

“Our priority is meeting immediate water needs and keeping the community informed as the situation evolves.”