Nunavut Declares State of Emergency over Iqaluit Water Supply

The Government of Nunavut declared a state of emergency Thursday in response to the crisis in Iqaluit’s water supply, two days after the City of Iqaluit took the same step at the municipal level.

Since Tuesday, Iqaluit residents have been told not to drink the city’s tap water because the city suspects the water supply has been contaminated by some form of petroleum product, according to Nunatsiaq News.

The declaration allows the Nunavut government to “ensure the necessary supports are available to the City of Iqaluit and its residents,” the release states.

The government news release did not elaborate what resources might be deployed.