Iqaluit declares state of emergency after suspected water contamination

Residents of Iqaluit, Nunavut are being asked not to use tap water following suspicions that the city's supply has been contaminated by petroleum.

On Tuesday, Iqaluit city council declared a state of emergency following reports of a strong smell of gas at the local plant. According to Nunatsiaq News, senior administrative officer Amy Elgersma said they "suspect that there is petroleum — some type of petroleum product — that has entered the water system."

Local officials say that samples have been taken, but that results won't be available for five business days. In the mean time, residents are urged not to drink the tap water. More vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women have been told that they should not even use the water to bathe.

The city of Iqaluit set up a "drinking water hotline" at 867-979-5603 to help answer any questions residents might have. Water depots were opened as well, distributing water from the Sylvia Grinnell River to anyone with their own jugs to take home and boil for use.  

According to the Washington Post, Iqaluit mayor Kenny Bell announced on Wednesday that Nunavut would be sending over 21,000 gallons of water via plane to help affected residents.

Canada's remote, and more often than not Indigenous, communities have long suffered from inadequate water supplies. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said time and time again that the Liberal government would take action, however there is still a long way to go before every Canadian has access to clean water.