Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, June 11, 2007

PELLY BAY - Ice melting, people going out on the land, and the switch from snowmobiles to four-wheelers are signs of spring in Kugaaruk.

Over the last few years, the annual overflowing of the sewage lagoon has joined the ranks of sure signs of spring for the hamlet.

"The sewage lagoon is overflowing and seeping because it is too small," said Kugaaruk MLA Steve Mapsalak.

"I know that there are quite a few sewage lagoons that need to be updated or moved. The Nunavut Water Board is supposed to provide a licence, and that is what we are waiting for," answered Community and Government Services (CGS) Minister Levinia Brown.

Brown went on to list three studies from as far back as 2002, all calling for major renovations to the failing sewage lagoon.

When asked when the water board was going to render a decision, Brown said he could not predict the future.

"I don't know, but I do know that it is very important and it is going to have an impact on the environment," said Brown.

An application to the water board was filed in June last year, but a result has not surfaced. CGS has decided to proceed as if they were going to get approval.

"We are proceeding as if we had approval, so we can ship materials in time for this summer. It will be a brand new lagoon," said Shawn Maley, assistant deputy minister for CGS.

The new facility has a $4 million price tag, and Maley said he thinks the new facility is clearly needed.

"Kugaaruk is in need, but this one hasn't been the worst one over time. If everything goes the way it should, it should be open in the fall of 2008," said Maley.

Kugaaruk's hamlet council refused to discuss the lagoon with Nunavut News/ North.