IQALUIT
Impassioned residents pleaded with city council and administration to reverse changes to trucked-water services in Iqaluit.

Chief Administrative Officer Muhamud Hassan and Public Works Director Matthew Hamp were on the hot seat during a water deliveries forum in Iqaluit. The two faced dozens of questions from impacted residents. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

"You guys are charged with the delivery of water, which is one of the most basic responsibilities you have," said John Graham, a former mayor of Iqaluit, during a public forum on the issue Sept. 25.

"I'm begging with you, I'm pleading with you to reverse this decision and put it back the way that it was five weeks ago."

The change has come to be known as "waterless Wednesdays," a new money-saving policy enacted by city administration on short notice to stop trucked water deliveries on Wednesdays.

Justification for the move has been to combat the city's water deficit, which has averaged $1 million for each of the last five years, but residents have responded in force about the lack of communication and the impact it has on their lifestyles.

A list of questions and answers the city distributed at the meeting stated that, "it is not typical that the public would be consulted on such a routine, operational budget decision."

"I was given a mandate when I moved to Iqaluit to try and transform the city and how we do business," said chief administrative officer Muhamud Hassan, who spent two hours fielding questions from more than a dozen residents in a full Parish Hall.

"I'm mandated by the Government of Nunavut to make sure that the (water) fund is self-sustaining."

Enacting "waterless Wednesdays" saves the city $156,000 per year in labour costs.

Hassan said all aspects of the city are being looked at to increase efficiency and reduce costs, but did admit that communication about the change clearly fell short.

"Did we flop in our communication?" asked Hassan rhetorically. "Absolutely."

Anne Crawford, an Apex resident heavily involved from the start of the issue, asked why the water fund even needs to be self-sustaining.

"Do the roads make money?" she asked. "Why does water have to make money?"

She hoped the city and people on trucked water could operate as more of a team and make decisions together.

"We're saving you millions and millions of capital cost (from not) having to install a utilidor to our houses," she said, adding that trying to manage the water efficiently with the city is the residents' goal, too.

People complained about sanitary issues regarding letting urine build up in toilets, not being able to wash cloth diapers, and struggling to keep everyone clean in large households.

Public Works director Matthew Hamp said the city would deliver water during blizzards and on statutory holidays, easing some of the concerns.

Most of all, residents asked to be treated like people, not as numbers or average tank sizes.

Coun. Kenny Bell said Hamp and Hassan were tasked with a tough situation but he doesn't support this move.

"This isn't a council decision," he said. "This is an administrative decision. It's under Bylaw 200, which is kind of funny to me because we don't follow any other bylaws, except when it's important for us to be able to use that bylaw."

Shortly before being cut off by Mayor Mary Wilman, Bell continued. "This is one of the reasons that I can't run anymore. It's just so ridiculous that I can't be part of it. I'm so embarrassed to be part of this situation that I have to walk away."

Wilman was the only member of council to vote against the public meeting.

Coun. Joanasie Akumalik said he has to accept the city screwed up with regard to communication.

Coun. Terry Dobbin said he agreed with Bell and floated the idea that council could reverse the move.

"It's an essential service," Dobbin said. "It shouldn't be cut off. I disagree and I think there should be a special meeting. The CAO can make the decision on Bylaw 200, but council can certainly make amendments to change that bylaw if so decided."

Many residents, and the city at the end, advocated for better communication and a team-oriented approach going forward.

"We want to be part of what the best solution is for water delivery," said Crawford.

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