Government of Canada responding to water emergency in Kugaaruk, Nunavut
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The Kugaaruk community is receiving federal help as the state of emergency enters its third day.
In a news release Tuesday, Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said she has approved the request for assistance from the Nunavut government. Its objective is to provide assistance in arranging transportation, distribution and pumping of drinking water.
“The Government Operations Center is working with federal and provincial partners, including the Canadian Armed Forces, to coordinate the response to the situation in Nunavut and mobilize all necessary federal resources,” he said.
Emergency was declared in the village on Sunday After seawater entered its water treatment plant. Senior administration official Michelle Byers told CBC News on Monday that an unusually high supermoon tide caused sea water to rise up and into the water treatment plant. He said that as designed, the plant automatically shut down to protect the system.
In an update posted on Facebook, the village said efforts to pump water from a secondary water source failed due to extreme cold. Crews have set up a shelter around the pumps and are working to warm the site, the post reads.
Additionally, the water treatment plant is being flushed to remove any salts before the plant is returned to service.
The village said it continues to receive support from regional and federal partners, including the Canadian Rangers, who are ready to assist with access to fresh water for about five days once the operation is stabilized.
