Advisory for KUGAARUK, Nunavut

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KUGAARUK

Type: Do Not Consume  -  Active

Issued: 12/9/2025

Details:

Schools and offices in Kugaaruk, Nunavut, are closed as the hamlet grapples with a STATE OF EMERGENCY after a breakdown at the water treatment plant. In an UPDATE December 8, the Hamlet says it is working on pumping water from the backup water source. More bottled water is also on the way.

KUGAARUK COMMUNITY WS – DNC DECEMBER 9.  
Dept of Health advises Kugaaruk residents (approx. 1,200 people) not to consume tap water, that includes boiled water and water filtered through Brita or similar filters.  

The Hamlet declared a State-of-Emergency Sunday after sea water infiltrated the Water Treatment Plant compromising the water supply quality. This has been attributed to unusually high, supermoon tides that caused sea water to travel upriver, reaching the water treatment plant intake. 

The salt water is expected to naturally drain over the coming days.

-- https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/newsroom/do-not-consume-water-advisory-kugaaruk-2025-12-09 --