Schools and government offices in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, have shut down indefinitely due to the ongoing water supply disruption, now entering its third day. The closures were confirmed by Nunavut Emergency Management (NEM) in a recent press release. The community, with a population exceeding 1,500, declared a state of emergency on Thursday following a pipe malfunction at the water treatment facility, hindering the filling of water delivery trucks.
Health and Family Services will offer limited assistance during this period. The local health center, as informed by the Health department to CBC News on Friday, is currently operating solely on an emergency basis. Essential services such as access to a social worker, income support, and an on-call nurse are still available to residents.
To alleviate the water crisis, the Nunavut government is dispatching supplies of bottled water and stainless steel pumps for direct water extraction from the reservoir. The Department of Transportation is also providing technical support concerning the community’s water treatment plant.
In a recent social media update, hamlet authorities stated that a plumber has been deployed to address the issue. Additionally, water treatment plant specialists are expected to arrive on Monday evening. The hamlet reported that water trucks are now being filled from the river, while a boil water advisory remains in effect for all water sources, including lakes and rivers. Residents are advised to boil all water for consumption for at least one minute before use, including for drinking, cooking, and oral hygiene.
NEM urges residents to use bottled water sparingly for essential needs and prepare for potential 72-hour shortages with existing supplies.
