WHALE COVE, NU, AUG 25, 2017 -- The Whale Cove Emergency Water Supply project in Nunavut, Canada, receieved $500,000 in combined funding this week.
The area has been placed under boil water advisories during the summer months due to high levels of coliforms detected in the drinking water over the last three years.
"Today's announcement represents an important step towards ensuring that Whale Cove residents have a dependable source of clean drinking water year-round," Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities said. "This investment in the Whale Cove Emergency Water Supply project is key to supporting the unique needs of northern communities, protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for Nunavummiut."
The new project involves installing a portable water treatment unit, which will introduce a set of three inline filters into the treatment process. The Government of Nunavut is reviewing long-term solutions to address the water treatment issues. Once implemented, the portable water treatment unit, secured under the Government of Canada's Small Communities Fund, will be available as a rapid response to other drinking water emergencies in Nunavut.
"We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to provide a new water filtration system for Whale Cove," Joe Savikataaq, Minister of Community and Government Services
said. "The new unit will significantly increase the quality of water for residents and will avoid boil water advisories until the current water treatment plant is upgraded. Ensuring a high quality drinking water for residents of Whale Cove, and for Nunavummiut across the territory, is an important goal of the Department of Community and Government Services."
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $375,000 to this project through the Small Communities Fund, and the Government of Nunavut will contribute $125,000.
