Water Facts

Our activities impact the water. Residents are encouraged to refrain from skidooing on Lake Geraldine and undertaking activities that could release contaminants into the environment near our water supply and water treatment plant.

Much like you’d prepare for a blizzard by keeping a supply of food in your house, you should have enough water to support your household for 72 hours in the event of an emergency. This includes clean drinking water and water that can be used for cleaning as needed.

The need to be waterwise has not diminished as a result of this crisis. It is important to use water wisely in our daily activities. The water situation these past few weeks is a good reminder to be water wise and have a plan in the event of an emergency.

While they sound similar, the observations reported in the media from a GN Inspector are unrelated to petroleum hydrocarbon issue. These were observations by a GN Public Health officer who was onsite on October 8. He visited the water treatment plant for a general overview as he was unfamiliar with the plant and took some tests. While he was on site he noted a smell of diesel. City staff had reported to him that there was a fuel leak on the day tank - which had been isolated and a boiler mechanic was working on the site most of the day.

You may smell chlorine in water picked up from the Purified River Water distribution. This is a result of the treatment required to the water. You can dispel the odour by leaving the cap off your water jug before consuming.

There are currently undetectable levels of petroleum hydrocarbons in the water supply.

The City has a comprehensive sampling and monitoring program that includes real-time monitoring, and lab tested results that are all noting non-detect.

The evidence all suggested the cause of this contamination was a buried historic fuel tank. The site near the Water Treatment Plant has been explored for any other potential causes of contamination. None were found, although there was a small spill (surface level) found nearby that was remedied out of an abundance of caution.

As of December 10th, 2021, the Do Not Consume Order instituted by the Government of Nunavut on October 12th, 2021 has been lifted. 

The investigation found an old underground fuel tank that was buried nearby the water treatment plant as the cause of the contamination. At an unknown point of time, the fuel leaked into an area (known as the void) beneath the surge tank of the water treatment plant.