Water and waste management issues in the canadian arctic: Iqaluit, baffin island

Abstract

Water and waste management issues for the town of Iqaluit, a rapidly growing coastal community soon to be the capital of Nunavut, are examined in this study. The expanding population of Iqaluit has resulted in increased pressure on the coastal environment, and waste management issues have become increasingly complicated. Analysis of the freshwater entering the coastal waters identifies the sewage lagoon as a source of disturbance. Dissolved oxygen readings indicate heavy pollution. TAB/BART tests, used for the first time in the Canadian Arctic, indicate a highly aggressive to aggressive bacteria population. Results from previous studies indicate that the dumpsites are also sources of disturbance. It is evident that the activities of the community of Iqaluit are impacting the coastal environment. In order to reduce these impacts, improvements to existing facilities are required, and careful planning tailored to the Arctic environment is necessary in order to accommodate future growth in Iqaluit. © 1998 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.