In the remote Canadian territory of Nunavut, clean drinking water is not always guaranteed. Over the past few weeks, several communities — including Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, and Coral Harbour — have remained under boil water advisories. What might seem like a temporary inconvenience in a southern city is a far more serious matter in the North, where access, infrastructure, and natural conditions make every household’s connection to clean water both vital and fragile.

The persistence of these advisories is more than just a short-term health precaution. It is a reminder of Nunavut’s long struggle with safe drinking water, the heavy dependence on aging infrastructure, and the broader issue of how climate, geography, and limited resources affect one of life’s most basic needs.

The Geography of Challenge

Nunavut is the largest and northernmost territory in Canada, covering nearly two million square kilometers. Despite this vast size, it is one of the least populated regions in the country, with just around 40,000 residents spread across 25 communities. Most communities are isolated, accessible only by air for much of the year, and by seasonal boat deliveries of essential supplies.

This remoteness makes the delivery of fresh water and the maintenance of water treatment plants difficult. Unlike urban centers, where city-wide water systems are interconnected and regularly upgraded, Nunavut’s communities often rely on small-scale facilities with very limited backup capacity.

Why Boil Water Advisories Happen

A boil water advisory is issued when local health officials believe the drinking water may be contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or other harmful organisms. In Canada, such advisories are meant as preventative measures: they protect public health while water is being tested or while problems are being fixed.

In Nunavut, these advisories occur more frequently due to:

• Infrastructure strain – Many treatment facilities are decades old and prone to breakdown.
• Small population base – Limited funding and trained staff make it difficult to maintain systems continuously.
• Environmental risk – Melting permafrost, shifting ground, and seasonal flooding affect reservoirs and treatment systems.
• Testing delays – Remote locations mean longer wait times for lab results, forcing officials to issue advisories as a precaution.

The Current Situation in Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, and Coral Harbour
As of August 2025, these three communities are living under continued boil water orders. Residents are required to boil all tap water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. Schools, hospitals, and local businesses have had to make adjustments, often at extra cost and effort.

In Baker Lake, residents have voiced frustration that this is not a new problem; the community has faced repeated advisories over the past decade. In Rankin Inlet, the boil water order has disrupted local economic activity, from daycare centers struggling with sanitation to restaurants needing extra procedures just to stay open. Coral Harbour, with its smaller population, feels the weight of isolation most sharply: alternatives like bottled water are not easily available, and flights to bring supplies cost hundreds of dollars per shipment.

Health and Social Impact

Boil water advisories are not simply technical measures. They shape daily routines, add stress, and raise concerns about long-term safety. For families, the need to boil water for children’s bottles or to wash vegetables every day creates uncertainty. For elders and those with weaker immune systems, the risks are higher.

Public health officials always stress that boiling water is effective in killing harmful microbes. Yet, repeated advisories also weaken public trust. Communities begin to question whether their water systems will ever be reliable. Parents worry about what might happen if they forget to boil water even once, or if children drink directly from taps at school.

The Infrastructure Problem

At the core of Nunavut’s water struggles is infrastructure. Many northern water treatment plants were built in the 1970s and 1980s. Some rely on seasonal reservoirs or storage tanks that are vulnerable to contamination. Repairs are difficult, not only because of cost but because of limited manpower: there are few trained water operators, and turnover is high.

Major investments are needed to modernize facilities, employ new filtration technologies, and design systems that adapt to Arctic conditions. But the cost is significant. Building and maintaining infrastructure in Nunavut is two to three times more expensive than in southern Canada. For small communities, this means being dependent on territorial and federal funding.

Climate Change: A Growing Threat

Climate change has added urgency to the issue. Melting permafrost changes the stability of pipes and foundations. Changing precipitation patterns affect water supplies. In communities where reservoirs depend on seasonal meltwater, extreme weather can reduce water levels dramatically. Rising temperatures also increase the risk of bacterial growth in untreated or partially treated water.

For Nunavut — already a region living at the forefront of environmental change — water security is another front in the climate crisis.

Voices from the Community

Interviews with residents highlight both resilience and frustration. One mother in Rankin Inlet said: “We boil water every day, but it feels like this is not a short-term problem. We want real solutions, not just temporary advisories.”

Local leaders echo these concerns. Some hamlet officials have called for more direct federal investment in infrastructure, saying that territories should not be left to handle such vital issues alone. Others note that education and training for local water plant operators must be expanded, so that communities are not dependent on short-staffed expertise flown in occasionally.

Government Response and Accountability

The Government of Nunavut, in coordination with Health Canada, continues to advise affected communities and provide public updates. But residents often feel that the response is reactive rather than proactive. Federal investments in water infrastructure have been pledged in recent years, but progress is slow, and many communities are still waiting for upgrades.

Critics argue that water must be treated as a basic human right, not an optional policy area. They point to the contrast: while Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, many Indigenous and northern communities still live under long-term boil water advisories.

Lessons from Other Northern Communities

Other regions in Canada have faced similar issues. In Manitoba and Ontario, First Nations communities have battled decades-long boil water notices, leading to national debates and eventually federal action plans. The key lesson is that delays only deepen mistrust and widen health risks.

For Nunavut, the same urgency applies. Unless systemic issues are addressed, temporary advisories will keep returning.

Possible Solutions and Roadmap Forward
Upgrading treatment plants – new technology adapted to Arctic conditions.

• Training local operators – building steady employment and knowledge in communities.
• Emergency alternatives – better supply chains for bottled water or portable treatment units.
• Research partnerships – working with universities and northern experts on sustainable water security.
• Stable federal funding – long-term commitments, not piecemeal project-based support.

Global Perspective

Water insecurity is not just Nunavut’s issue. Around the world, rural and remote communities face similar challenges — from Alaska to Greenland to small island nations. The Nunavut case highlights how geography, colonial history, climate change, and infrastructure intersect to make water security one of this century’s biggest human rights issues.