Last week, Iqaluit’s city council was updated on the city water supply and other water related issues, including the proposed amendment of bylaw 200, which includes private hauling of water.

Following our piece on Iqaluit’s water supply challenges, council heard that the Lake Geraldine’s water level is lower than usual for this time of year, mostly as a result of lower than average precipitation through 2018, especially in June. There has been increased water use, in part due to increase in population and development. Additionally, there are some water losses from such events as water main breaks.

“Council unanimously agreed to take action and requested staff to begin looking at conservation measures for the short and long term,” said Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern.

The city has:

  • Engaged engineering experts who have identified steps to be taken to ensure the city has sufficient water for the winter;
  • Has met and worked with the regulators and partners, including the Nunavut Government, the Federal Government, and the Nunavut Water Board to ensure all compliance and regulatory permitting;
  • Comprised a task force of officials from the City of Iqaluit, the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Canada, and consultants to determine the next steps in addressing the water supply issues;
  • Determined that pumping water from nearby sources into Lake Geraldine is likely the most feasible and effective option available.

The city is confident that by being proactive and taking steps to increase the amount of water in Lake Geraldine to ensure the community has enough water for the winter and not wait to see if there is sufficient precipitation between now and October.

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