Advisory for KUGAARUK, Nunavut

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KUGAARUK

Type: Boil Water  -  Active

Issued: 1/6/2026

Details:

KUGAARUK COMMUNITY WS – STATE-of-EMERGENCY DECEMBER 8, 2025.
Schools and offices closed after a breakdown at the water treatment plant. In a press release, 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, 2025.  
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.

KUGAARUK COMMUNITY WS – DECEMBER 12, 2025.
The State-of-Emergency has ended. However, the DNC remains in place.

KUGAARUK COMMUNITY WS – BWA JANUARY 6, 2026. 
The DNC advisory is lifted. However, a BWA remains in place.