Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Grise Fiord (June 10/02) - The days of conserving water during spring have almost come to an end for residents of this Ellesmere Island.

By next month, a third tank will be completed and ready to hold an additional five million litres of water, doubling the community's current capacity.

"We'll be able to hold close to 10 million litres of water," said Marty Kuluguqtuq, an employee at the hamlet office.

He said Kudlik Construction tested the new tank and determined it was ready for use.

The tank means residents will no longer face water shortages in the spring. Kuluguqtuq said residents have just enough water left in the tank to get them through the next few weeks.

"We have about a metre and a half of water left," said Kuluguqtuq.

"We're hoping we'll be OK. Knock on wood there's no fires or anything like that. If there are, we'll be in trouble," he said.

Grise Fiord can't use a water lake because of Ellesmere Island's polar ice cap. While the existing two tanks were once suitable for the community, increased population and construction have forced the hamlet to conserve water for the last few years.