PUVIRNITUQ — For most Quebecers, clean water is just a twist of a tap away. However, in Nunavik's northern region, the situation is markedly different, plagued by various challenges such as severe weather, aging infrastructure, and a shortage of workers. Although some may attribute these issues to a lack of political will, the solutions are complex and not easily executed.
Water scarcity is prevalent north of the 55th parallel; 13 out of 14 villages lack both aqueducts and sewer systems, largely due to permafrost conditions. The situation is particularly dire along the Hudson Bay's west coast, where weather-related events are becoming increasingly frequent and intense, a trend expected to worsen with climate change. According to Hossein Shafeghati, the municipal public works director for the Kativik Regional Government, these environmental factors exacerbate the existing infrastructure challenges.
In most villages, water distribution starts with a pumping station that extracts water from a river. After treatment, the water is transported via tanker trucks to individual home reservoirs, with trucks typically servicing each home at least once a day. Similarly, wastewater is collected and directed to natural purification basins. Each village has its unique system for notifying truck drivers when a reservoir reaches capacity.
Some critical facilities, including the hospital in Puvirnituq, are connected directly to the village’s treatment station via pipes. However, even with this connection, the hospital frequently faces water shortages due to adverse weather conditions or mechanical failures, often requiring at least five trucks per day to meet its water needs.
The story of insufficient water access has become a recurring theme, with 2022 reported to be particularly severe, leading to 13 water shortages based on partial data from the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services. Inukjuak Mayor Bobby Epoo states that such shortages are expected annually, driven by factors like shortages of drivers and equipment failures, or even frozen pipes.
This spring, Puvirnituq experienced an extraordinary water crisis when a water main froze during a March blizzard, disrupting water deliveries for months. The municipal council declared a state of emergency after a fire erupted, exacerbating the urgency for reliable water supply. Municipal manager Peter Napartuk noted that the underground water pipes frequently freeze, and much of the local infrastructure is outdated, dating back to the 1990s.
With no pipe replacements occurring, Epoo expresses concern about the risk of significant future disruptions in water supply. The lack of skilled labor is another pressing issue; Shafeghati remarked that some villages have residents with invaluable experience, while others struggle to develop management capabilities. He emphasized the need for generational knowledge in municipal governance, as many communities in Nunavik are relatively young.
Quebec's minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière, is cautious in considering solutions, aiming to respect Inuit perspectives and avoiding imposing external frameworks. He acknowledged the frustrations of the communities and pledged to collaborate with the Kativik Regional Government and the Makivik Corporation, representative of the Inuit, to explore potential initiatives.
One possibility includes training programs aimed at developing skilled workers who can maintain vehicles and water treatment plants, which could significantly benefit communities. Shafeghati indicated that around 20 communities have sought funding to develop underground pipe systems, but escalating costs hinder this progress, with estimates to upgrade Nunavik's system reaching approximately $2 billion.
In 2023, the Quebec government committed $163 million over five years to enhance municipal and road infrastructure and to repair equipment in northern villages. Despite this contribution assisting some communities, it remains insufficient compared to the urgent needs at hand. Napartuk estimates that $150 million is necessary just to improve the resilience of Puvirnituq's current water trucking system.
Upcoming reports are expected to provide further insights into Nunavik's water situation, one aiming to identify solutions for Puvirnituq's water challenges to prevent crises in the future. Longer-term planning initiatives will focus on the feasibility of establishing an underground pipe system throughout Nunavik. Shafeghati acknowledged that while such a system could effectively address water access issues, it also risks introducing new problems, such as more frozen pipes. Nevertheless, he expressed willingness to progress with these developments, provided adequate funding is available.
Lafrenière also remains open to various solutions, advocating for practical alternatives, such as drilling wells specifically for schools and hospitals to securely provide direct water access without reliant transportation. He assured that the government will explore options in partnership with Inuit communities.
