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Public health director concerned about water safety

Municipal leaders need to make sure water is tested and treated

JANE GEORGE

KUUJJUAQ — Nunavik’s public health director warned Kativik Regional Government council members last week about the importance of clean water.

"Safe water is basic for our population’s health," said Dr. Serge Déry.

No one in Nunavik has died from water contaminated with E. coli or any other strain of lethal bacteria, but Déry said stomach upsets and diarrhea are commonly reported to health workers.

Quebec has tightened up its standards for water testing and purification since last year’s water crisis in Walkerton, Ontario.

More than 2,500 people in Walkerton became ill — and some even died — from drinking water contaminated by E. coli bacteria. The bacteria entered the system after run-off from manure seeped into the water supply — contamination that Walkerton’s water technicians didn’t test for, correct or report.

Many Nunavik communities also have a poor record of testing and treating water. As a result, the water is often unsafe to drink, and the public is advised to boil all drinking water.

Déry reminded the municipal leaders that they are supposed to make sure local workers test and treat water regularly, so that the public will know whether the water is safe to drink without boiling.

"I am really concerned," Déry said. "I can see there is a risk in some municipalities that we could have an incident."

Déry warned that a repeat of Walkerton is possible in Nunavik if communities don’t observe Quebec’s water laws.

"We would prefer prevention takes place before something happens," he said.

Some councillors said residents prefer to get their drinking water from ice or snow.

But Déry said drinking stream water, melted ice or melted snow can be dangerous. He advised boiling water from these sources for at least five minutes.

"You can’t be sure it is safe," Déry said. "E. coli comes from all mammals — even caribou can be carriers of E. Coli."

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