Iqaluit (Mar 24/03) - After several sewage spills, the city of Iqaluit is urging its residents to keep grease and other items out of their drains.

Officials say clogged up pipe lines could lead to more sewage leaks.

April and July 2001: Five incidents relating to sewage spills into Koojessee Inlet result in a $100,000 fine to the City of Iqaluit. February 10, 2003: Aging sewer pipes between the Baffin Regional Hospital and the Frobisher Inn burst, releasing about 11,000 litres of sewage. February 19, 2003: A power shortage at one of Iqaluit's lift stations causes 24,000 litres of raw sewage to overflow into Koojessee Inlet directly in front of the city. March 12, 2003: Between 400 and 900 litres of sewage overflows from pipes near the breakwater because of blockage. March 13, 2003: Between 400 and 900 litres of sewage overflows across the street from Joamie School on Apex Road because of a blockage in the pipes.

"Grease coats the pipes and it layers it, resulting in a blockage," explained Iqaluit's utilidor foreman, Chris Freda.

"There are other things too. People dump some pretty weird things down their toilets like shirts and stuffed animals."

Freda said pipe blockages cost the city an unwarranted amounted of money and cause delays in service. With 60 percent of Iqaluit on the utilidor system, Freda said it's important that everyone help keep the pipes clean in order to keep the aging system in line.

Development of Iqaluit's water and sewage systems began when the Canadian Armed Forces began building them about 40 years ago

"The designs and pipe placements that took place were the first of their kind -- particularly in Canada," said city councillor Stu Kennedy. "Prior to that time very few people had placed systems of that nature in permafrost like we have in Iqaluit."

Kennedy worked for the GNWT's public works department from 1985 to 1994 and has followed Iqaluit's piping project very closely.

The largest project in those early days was the Astro Hill Project. It remains the largest complex in the city and sees the most daily traffic.

Permafrost and better pipes

As time went by, the piping project became the responsibility of the Northwest Territories Government and private consulting firms. They would switch from one material to another -- each time a new project arose, new piping material was used. They went from asbestos concrete to polyvinyl chloride (plastic) and finally to polyethylene piping.

Kennedy said there are remnants of all these types of materials in the present piping system.

As technologies became more advanced so did those working in the piping industry. They understand the effects of permafrost and the need for a product that will not crack in extreme cold.

It was during the 1980s and 1990s that studies began to examine which materials would be best for conditions like those found in Iqaluit.

"They've worked with state of the art materials and now they've found polyethylene piping," said Kennedy. "I've seen the results and it has the ability to expand and contract without breaking."

Most pipes in Iqaluit are underground. If they're underground, they're not subjected to abuse by machines travelling over them or people walking over them. Plus, when they're underground there's less fluctuation in temperature.

But in terms of replacing the older systems both Kennedy and utilidor foreman Chris Freda said that it will have to be done soon. They also say that until the old pipes are replaced, there will always be a risk of them failing.

"In some sections of town, the pipes are really getting to the point where they need to be changed. They also need to be upgraded in size. Iqaluit has grown immensely," said Freda.

The repair job

The city is awaiting final approval from its residents to put its $51 million five-year 2003-2007 capital plan into action.

About 70 per cent of capital spending, or $35,570,000, will be spent on improving water supplies and developing a sustainable sewage system. This will include maintaining the present sewage lagoon.

An agreement has already been signed by the Government of Nunavut to provide $31 million. The city is expected to supply the remaining money. In order to fulfil its end of the bargain, Iqaluit will need to borrow over $4 million.

"We've approved it in council but it's still subject to borrowing the $4 million," said Iqaluit mayor John Matthews.

A ratepayers' referendum is expected soon although no date has been set yet.

"This is why we are looking at doing the whole $51-million fix. We can't keep going like this," he said.