Boil Water Advisory – City of Iqaluit

Press Release

19 January 2022

Effective immediately, the Department of Health is advising the City of Iqaluit of a precautionary boil water advisory. The city has bypassed the water treatment plant due to recent contamination events. While the contamination levels were below the health screening values developed by Health Canada, the boil water advisory is a precautionary measure because the water is not filtered through the normal water treatment processes.

Residents may experience odours, tastes and may notice slight discoloration or sediment in the tap water.

Iqalummiut are advised that all city water used for consumption or washing of food must be boiled before use.

Water must be brought to a rolling boil for a minimum of one full minute.

It is essential that all water be boiled for the following uses:

• Drinking.
• Preparing infant formulas.
• Preparing juices and ice cubes.
• Washing fruits and vegetables.
• Cooking.
• Brushing of teeth.

Water can be boiled either in a pot or kettle on a stove or an electric kettle without an automatic shut-off.

It is not necessary to boil water used for anything other than the above list. Updates will be provided to the community when available.

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Media Contact:

Danarae Sommerville
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
dsommerville1@gov.nu.ca

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