Iqalummiut in the city of Iqaluit can now freely wash their vehicles after a seven-year ban was recently lifted. The ban, initially implemented in 2018 to safeguard water in the city’s reservoir sourced from Lake Geraldine, has been rescinded due to the reservoir now holding an adequate water supply as of early September. The decision to lift the ban was unanimously approved by Iqaluit councillors during a council meeting held on Tuesday.
One resident, Anne Crawford, expressed joy at the news, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to have her truck cleaned. The lifting of the ban has generated excitement among the community, with Crawford mentioning that it has been a popular topic of conversation. However, she raised concerns about the long-term strategy for water conservation moving forward.
According to a submission presented to the council by city administration, data indicates that the reservoir currently has more than 600 days’ worth of water available for use, with a consistent decline in water demand over the past three years. Councillor Amber Aglukark emphasized the importance of continued water conservation efforts, urging residents not to misuse the newfound freedom to wash vehicles excessively, potentially leading to reinstating the ban.
In a news release issued by the City of Iqaluit, it was highlighted that the improvement in water supply is attributed to the collaborative conservation endeavors of Iqalummiut and the ongoing maintenance work by city staff to repair leaks. The city affirmed its confidence in the stability of the water system moving forward, citing stabilized reservoir levels and enhanced monitoring protocols.
The City of Iqaluit assured that vigilant monitoring of the water supply will persist to ensure the sustainability of the water system in the future.
