Inuvik boil water advisory partially due to water plant repairs, says town

The N.W.T.government and the town of Inuvikareadvising people in the communityto boil their drinking water for at least one minute before consumption.

No illnesses have been reported, and the boil water advisory is precautionary.

A Department of Health news release states the boil water advisory is in relation to high turbiditylevels in the river, or muddy water. The turbidity is caused byhigh water levels.

However, InuvikMayor Jim McDonald says there are actually two reasons: the water levels, and a problem at the water treatment plant.

McDonald says there was an issue with the plant's polymer pump, which operates to reduce the turbidity in the water.

"It was a minor repair," he said. "That was taken care of, and hopefully we will be back to normal here by early next week. Certainly, [residents] don't need to be concerned about bacteria in the water. It was the turbidity."

The water quality is being monitored by the chief environmental health officer and the Town of Inuvik.

The newsrelease also advises residents to boil water used for ice, preparing food, and dental hygiene. The release emphasizes the need to boil water used to prepare infant formulas.

Residents are advised not to drink water from public fountains.

The release said that Brita filters are not a safe option for water treatment. Rather, residents can use bottled water.

Inuvik's$19 million water plant opened two years ago. McDonald says the defective pump is the first issue they've had.

Both grocery stores in Inuvik were sold out ofwater jugs as of Thursday evening.

The release saidresidents can shower, bathe, and wash using tap water, if they do not swallow any water.

With files from Mackenzie Scott