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INUVIK
The boil water advisory for Inuvik is leading to a shortage of bottled water in stores across town.

Agnes Kaglik says people bought a lot of bottled water over the weekend due to the boil water advisory. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

The advisory came into effect July 13 when sampling of the water indicated bacteria levels were high.

Susie Driscoll, office manager at Stanton's, said since the boil water advisory came into effect, water has been flying off the shelves.

"I know we have been really busy," she said.

"With regards to water, we were really busy Friday and again on Sunday."

As of Tuesday, the advisory was still in effect and Grant Hood, senior administrative officer for the Town of Inuvik said the environmental health division of the Department of Health and Social Services is the only entity that can lift it.

"Right now, there isn't anything new," said Hood.

"We always test the water twice a day and we also send samples to environmental health. Once they feel whatever they test for is back to normal and the levels are back in line, they can lift it."

Hood said it's important to remember it's an advisory and not an order.

"The big difference is with an advisory they're just saying there is the possibility of danger, especially with infants or people with compromised immune systems," said Hood.

"With an order, there is a danger."

The advisory recommends boiling any water that's used for drinking, brushing teeth and washing food.

Duane Fleming, chief environmental officer for the territory, said bacteriological samples are being taken and while one sample was positive for total coliform, E. coli results have been negative.

But with warmer weather over the weekend, residents rushed to stock up on bottled water.

Stanton's ran out of 18.9-litre jugs on Friday and was only able to replace them late Saturday afternoon, said supervisor Agnes Kaglik.

"People were coming in and picking up cases for the weekend," she said.

With the heavy rain that has been hitting Inuvik, the water source at Hidden Lake has become muddy and cloudy.

"The turbidity is on a scale. The higher the number, the worse it is," said Hood.

"Usually it's below one on the scale but we were recording levels over 10."

Flushing the utilidor system was scheduled to start Tuesday and Hood said residents could expect discoloured water.

"It's safe, but you should avoid washing whites for the week," he said.

Flushing the water lines could also increase the cloudiness of water, said Fleming.

"It will likely be a few days before the advisory is lifted," he said Monday.

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