Iqaluit in state of emergency after traces of fuel found in drinking water

A state of emergency has been declared in Iqaluit after city staff found evidence of fuel contamination in the city's treated water supply. The water is unsafe to drink, even if filtered or boiled.

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[kozmikczarina]

Everyone deserves clean drinking water. This is so sad.

[naomisims]

Great example of everyone needing a water distiller...not a filtered water system.

[matthewst]

This guys been saying it’s safe while it smells like gas?

[r.]

Oceans on fire, farmland and wetlands filled with oil from pipeline breaks and tanker spills, tap water catching fire, community's water poisoned by petroleum distillate...that this is considered normal is insane.

[kidmohair]

"when the last tree is cut and the last river is poisoned, will we realize we can't eat money?"
or drink oil...

[ar-wpji]

Ask the PM how the water was in Tofino

[cw]

Mayor deserves to get canned. People brought this issue to him well in advance, and he says "well I trusted science". Science works when applied properly. His job is to ensure that it is applied properly by hiring the right people. At the very least, he shouldn't tell people the water is safe unless he is 100% sure. He failed. And now, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a class action lawsuit against him and the municipality.

[fartsimpson]

Iqaluit has had problems with leaking pipes for years. The problem with leaking pipes and partially frozen ground is that the liquid flowing in the lines creates a vacuum that draws in material from around the pipe. So if any fuel has been spilled, or if a garage is using solvents to clean and degrease equipment of any kind and allowing the run-off to hit the ground, those solvents get sucked into the water lines, sometimes from 100's of feet away.

[enovaenove]

Shouldnt there be more than one well??

[MayThereBeWorldPeace]

These poor people. Help them. Help them!

[foreignperception]

The military has equipment for this, there is also companies in Canada with the same machines, why is this problem still unresolved?

[danrebolledo]

Probably pays to watch the interview and pay attention before commenting....

[jorda.]

Sealed well. Smells of fuel.
Willful or environmental?
No answer.
Oil bubbles to surface in many places.

[miriam]

Once and for all, please give these people clean water! It just happens too often.

[mr.piccolo]

So much for that new Government Holiday...

[christopherguy]

With almost 60% of the residents being food insecure, this is a major disaster. It is such a great northern city, the people are great, they don't deserve this. Yet another argument for getting off our addiction to fossil fuels. If I remember correctly, their electricity is all from diesel generators.

[LeeYuJinJIn]

Greed is kinda winning on planet earth if anyone happens to care.

[SMAmommy]

And some wonder why we shouldn't have underwater pipe lines. Or even why foil fule is bad .... This horrible. Water is life. Blessings and prayers to all

[Megafoot]

This crisis is not even being remotely reported on or addressed in the manner it should. The reason i say this is because, hello ! We are in a pandemic ! This issue seems to be lost by not only the reporter's, and also government officials at all levels . Its impossible to have proper hand washing & cleanliness when you have no water with which to do it. Germs & viruses multiply in that type of environment. The federal as well as the territorial government need to step up. 0_o

[devonlindsay]

The government needs to fly in filtered water and make it free for everyone RIGHT NOW!!!