Drinking water in Sanikiluaq

June 30, 2016

Public Health Advisory
Drinking water in Sanikiluaq
Nunavut

The Department of Health is reminding residents of Sanikiluaq not to drink the community tap water, as tests show high levels of sodium. The Government of Nunavut (GN) continues to have free bottled water available at the community hall.

This is a reminder that the tap water is safe for cooking, bathing and hand washing. Please do not boil tap water for drinking, as it raises the amount of the sodium in the water.

Sodium in drinking water can cause adverse health effects for people with high blood pressure, on sodium reduced diets or with other medical conditions. Infants, children and the elderly are also at risk.

The Department of Community and Government Services and the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq are working with the Department of Health to resolve the problem. Additional water continues to be sent to Sanikiluaq, and the GN is working with the hamlet to ensure residents have adequate and safe drinking water as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact the Sanikiluaq hamlet office, or the environmental health officer at 867-645-6660.

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Media Contact:

Irma Arkus
Communications Manager
Department of Health
867-975-5762
iarkus@gov.nu.ca

NT5