Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Aug 01/05) - Petroleum soaked soil in Iqaluit is being disturbed again, bringing fumes to the air and causing at least one businessman some grief.

Jamie Guilboard is boxed in by this mountain of dirt. He has seen business at his flower shop drop by 100 per cent since the dig started and has had to move his hotdog stand across the street. Petroleum fumes put a temporary stop to the water pipe laying work as environmental measures were put in place to ensure worker safety.

After a week off to put in new environmental measures, workers are digging up the soil where new water pipes will be placed.

Jamie Guilboard runs Akuluk Flowers, next to the dig. He had two days last week where no customers entered his store, and a third day with just one brave soul coming in. He usually averages 20 to 40 customers a day, he said.

His shop was once visible from the street. Now it is completely hidden by the construction. The delay means money to Guilboard.

He has also been ordered by health officials to move his hotdog cart across the street, away from the petroleum fumes.

To do that, he has had to hire an extra employee. A "summer cold" has prevented Morris from noticing the stench, but his concerns are for the people in the lower base area.

"I'm more worried about the kids. They are so adventurous, they'll delve right into the pit, throwing dirt at each other," said Guilboard.

The soil has been tested and contains petroleum hydrocarbons, most likely from heavy diesel oil.

An air quality meter has been installed and if the petroleum particles reach over 700 parts per million, the workers must wear protective full body suits.

The readings haven't been that high yet, and workers at the site are not wearing their respirators.

The respirators - worn over the mouth and nose - filter the particles.

The pipe laying project, scheduled to be complete in early September, will bring water directly to the people in the lower base area. Previously, water was delivered by truck.

"We are about a week behind," said Iqaluit chief engineer Brad Sokach. "We may receive a request for extras from the contractor, but I don't know the amount yet."

Sokach doesn't know how much it will cost the city yet.

A stop-work order was issued last week by the Workers Compensation Board, when the stench of petroleum became obvious.

After meeting the WCB's standards, work is now continuing.

Environmental concerns have also been addressed. Water from the trench is now pumped through settling tanks, and an oil boom has been set up to catch any remaining toxins before they are pumped directly into Frobisher Bay.

"We are very satisfied," said Dave Grundy, WCB communications manager.