Short-term fix expected this week for Sanikiluaq's salty water problem

Reverse osmosis units designed to help purify the water in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, will arrive this week, according to the territorial government.

Last Thursday, health officials issued a warning telling residents their drinking water had highlevels of sodium.

Though the levels meet Canadian drinking water guidelines, the Nunavut government continues to warnpeople in Sanikiluaqthat they shouldn't drink the water.

It is, however, safe to cook with and bathe in, officials say.

"Everybody seems to be doing OK," said Allan Rumbolt, MLA for Hudson Bay.

He said three or four cargo planeloads of bottled water have arrived in the community, flown in from Manitoba by the territorial government.

The water is being distributed free of charge, though Rumbolt points out it's not the only alternative source of drinking water.

"Some people prefer the water from the land rather than the taps anyways," Rumbolt said.

He estimatedabout half of the community's850 residents regularly get their water from freshwater springs in the surrounding hills in the summer months.

"It is really nice that we have that ability to be able do that, and have fresh water. Otherwise you know, there'd be probably a lot more plane loads of water having to come into the community."

Rumbolt said the community's health centre is operating as usual and as of Monday afternoon, there is enough bottled water available at the recreation centre.

Later this week, the territorial government hopes to bring in reverse osmosis units, which will be installed in 250 homes. They will help take the extra salt out of the water.

Excess sodium not only affects the taste of the water, but it can also cause adverse health effects for people with high blood pressure, as well asthose on sodium-reduced diets or with other medical conditions. Infants, children and the elderly are also at higher risk.

The government says it's closely monitoring the health of community members.It doesn't know what's causing the elevated sodium levels, so it's bringing in a technical expert thisweek.

Officials say that while sodium occurs naturally in water, its levels can often change due to temperature and other factors.