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The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) says it is sending reverse osmosis water purification models to Iqaluitย on the request of the Nunavut authorities, after residents had been ordered to not drink the water following proof of gasoline contamination within the metropolisโs handled water provide.
Maj. Susan Magill, a public affairs officer with CAFโs northern army unit โ Joint Job Pressure North โ instructed CBC Information on Saturday one of many water purification models had arrived within the metropolis that day, and one other was anticipated on Sunday.ย
The town has been in a state of emergency since Oct. 12, when employees confirmed proof of the gasoline contamination. Residents have been instructed the townโs handled water is unsafe to drink even when it is filtered and boiled.
โWeโre on the very starting levels of this job,โ she mentioned. โThe very first wave of personnel and gear landed at present and extra will observe over the subsequent few days.โย
Magill mentioned there could be lower than 20 army personnel despatched to Iqaluit in complete โ and that between 10 to 12 of these personnel could be operators for the water purification models.ย
She additionally mentioned the models are โcomplicatedโ and want a very good location with entry to water and area for vans to hold water out. These particulars, she mentioned, shall be found out in session with the Metropolis of Iqaluit.ย
โI feel it is too early to present a precise date however we would hope, inside every week, to have the ability to have the 2 models up and working,โ she mentioned.ย
Metropolis staff and residents have been accumulating water from the Sylvia Grinnell River, however an alternate answer is required because the river begins to freeze over, Iqaluit Mayor Kenny Bell instructed CBC Information Community on Wednesday.
On Friday, he mentioned that an utility was submitted final week to the federal government of Canada to repair the townโs long-term water provide, which he mentioned was โwithin the ballpark of $180 million.โ
The townโs chief administrative officer, Amy Elgersma, has mentioned an investigation has pointed to โpotential contamination of the soil or groundwaterโ exterior Iqaluitโs water therapy plant. She mentioned this โmight have leachedโ into one of many metropolisโs two water tanks.ย
Part 2 of an environmental evaluation โ the subsurface investigation โ has begun, mentioned Elgersma, and the town is anticipating drill samples early subsequent week.ย
Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavutโs chief public well being officer, mentioned officers wish to be 100 per cent sure that the water is protected to drink earlier than lifting the do-not-consume order. No date for eradicating the order has been set.
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