Unknown organisms in water supply add to Igloolik water woes

As the hamlet of Igloolik, Nunavutcontinues to try and find a solution to itsfrozen reservoirproblem, residents are now complaining that an unknown organism appears to becoming through their pipes.

Brian Fleming, Igloolik'ssenior administrative officer, says the hamlet is not ready to declare a state of emergency, but it is "kind of limping along."

"We are in a shortage," he said.

The community began asking residents to conserve water last week, and each day, the hamlet is renewing its boil water advisory.

"What we've been doing in the meantime is melting it down and we've been able to manage to service the community," said Fleming.

Each summer, the hamlet refills the man-made reservoir, which usually provides enough water to last until the spring thaw replenishes the supply. This year, the late thaw is causing problems.

"It's always tight in the spring," said Fleming, but the hamlet is looking into whether water consumption has been up.

Fleming says the hamlet is aware of complaints about organisms from the water supply making their way into people's homes andis working to figure out a way to solve the issue.

Looking for a solution

The hamlet is looking at using water from Fish Lake to deal with the issue in the short term and Fleming says water from the lake is now undergoing a chemical analysis.

Fleming says the hamlet is working with Nunavut's Department of Community and Government Services and the Nunavut Water Board.