Jillian Dickens and Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Gjoa Haven (Oct 17/05) - It could be a dry fall in Gjoa Haven. Damage to the community reservoir on Oct. 9 has left the residents wondering about their next shower, flush and cup of tea.

"The man-made part gave away and the water spilled out," explained Adam Arquaq, the water and sewer dispatcher for the hamlet.

The lack of water has the mayor very concerned.

"Our first priority is to get the water to the community and to the school. We advised the people on the radio. I'm not scared yet, as long as the water is running," said Uriash Puqiqnak.

"It's a real problem. I would call it an emergency. They (the government of Nunavut) know what is going on. Without their help, we are alone."

A section about 32 feet wide and eight feet long gave way, possibly due to pressure from ice and snow.

The hamlet's water supply is a combination of the reservoir and the adjoining lake.

With the reservoir leaking, the hamlet's three water trucks are filling up at nearby Swan Lake.

Residents went three days without a water fill-up, with the health centre and the school getting priority.

"I got quite a few complaints and I just told them to be patient. Most people were running out of water by the end but were not out completely," said Arquaq.

Repairing the damaged section could be a challenge for the community, with the weather turning to wind and snow.

The gravel they would use is quickly being frozen solid.

When the reservoir gave way, the flooding hit the storage sheds located near the lake. No one was injured and none of the sheds were damaged.

As for the cause of the break, it is still guess work. "I don't know how it happened," said Puqiqnak.