Drinking water in Sanikiluaq

Public Health Advisory

Drinking water in Sanikiluaq

The Department of Health is advising residents of Sanikiluaq not to drink the community tap water, as tests show high levels of sodium. The Government of Nunavut (GN) has free bottled water available immediately at the community hall.

Sodium in drinking water can cause adverse health effects for people with high blood pressure, on sodium reduced diets or with other medical conditions. Infants, children and the elderly are also at risk.

Please note that the water is safe for bathing and cooking. Residents are warned against boiling tap water for drinking, as it raises the amount of the sodium in the water.

The Department of Community and Government Services and the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq are working with the Department of Health to resolve the problem. Additional water is being sent to Sanikiluaq, and the GN is working with the hamlet to ensure residents have adequate and safe drinking water as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact the Sanikiluaq hamlet office, or the environmental health officer at 867-645-6660.

###

Media Contact:

Irma Arkus
Communications Manager
Department of Health
867-975-5762
867-222-9480
@email