Construction will cause water shut-off, boil-water advisories for half of Iqaluit

Construction inIqaluit will leadto water disruptions and boil-water advisories for some residents on piped services over the next few weeks.

One of the biggest stoppages will beginon Tuesdayevening as the city works to connect theJoamie Court subdivision, which is currently being built, to the main water line.

While this work is going on, more than 2,000 residents in six neighbourhoods could be without water for up to 36 hours. The water stoppage will affect half of the city, includingHappy Valley, Tundra Valley, Tundra Ridge, Lake Subdivision, Road to Nowhere and Lower Iqaluit.

"We are working very closely with our contractor to see if that time could be reduced," said Andrea Spitzer, the city's communications manager.

"If [affected] people require water during that time ... water is available at the fire hall."

The city is setting up a hose to fill containers outside the fire hall from9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the shutdown on Tuesday.

The city suggests people fill containers with water, filltheir bathtub with water, and use anti-bacterial hand sanitizer for hand washing.

Boil-water advisories after repair begins

Boil-water advisories will be in effect afterthe repairs to the main water line to help ensure water is safe to drink. Residents in affected areas need to boil water for at least two minutes before drinking.

Continuouslyupdated information about the water stoppages and boil-water advisories over the next few weeks are being posted on thecity's websiteas well as on community bulletin boards.

Along with annual infrastructure upgrades, the city is working to reduce water pipe leaks and build the Joamie Court subdivision.

Spitzer said the city is prepared for work to take longer than expected.

"When you are dealing with older pipes in our infrastructure, there is a possibility that times could be extended," she said.

"In that likelihood we would try and useevery resource we could to get the information out, we would try to minimize the impact."

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