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Latest news about the Safe Drinking Water Team
Water service has been restored in Inukjuak nearly four weeks after the community’s main pipe froze. The frozen pipe had forced the community to get water directly from the river instead of from its water treatment plant. The pipe, which connects the community’s water pump to the distribution facility, froze after a heater broke, said mayor Pauloosie Kasudluak. Municipal and KRG staff had been on the ground since day one working to fix the issue.
Many smaller communities rely solely on water trucks to deliver clean water to home. So when the trucks break down, it becomes a headache and even a crisis. That was the case for Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, in northern Quebec, where recently, all three water trucks broke down and were in disrepair for almost three weeks. "It was a difficult thing because all the water trucks were broken plus all the parts were being backordered from the company we ordered parts from," said Mayor David Annanack, adding that COVID-19 was also causing an issue at the factories where they get parts.
Evacuees from Neskantaga First Nation started returning home Monday after recent water testing showed chlorine and microbiological levels were at acceptable levels after a new pump was installed in the local water system. The previous piece of equipment malfunctioned earlier in September, triggering a state of emergency. About 220 residents were in Thunder Bay for more than a week after the pump went down on Sept. 14. Chief Chris Moonias called for the evacuation himself, concerned about symptoms he said were showing up in community members, including skin rashes, stomach problems and headaches.
