The City of Iqaluit, Canada is hiring temporary workers to help with water distribution as its water emergency enters its seventh week, according to Nunatsiaq News. The city’s water emergency began in October, when people began complaining of a fuel-like smell in their tap water. On 12 October, the city reported fuel, later confirmed to be diesel fuel, had contaminated its water treatment plant. The city and Government of Nunavut declared states of emergency later that day that are still in effect. Volunteers played a significant role in water distribution earlier during the emergency, but support has since waned.
Saskatoon says COVID outbreak declared among a group of water and sewer workers
Saskatoon officials say a COVID-19 outbreak has been declared among a group of water and sewer maintenance crews. The city says in a news release that it recently received confirmation from the Saskatchewan Health Authority about the outbreak in a city work group at a facility at 88 King St. It says the facility is only accessible by employees. The release says the city does not expect that there will be an impact to operations.
Saskatoon water treatment workers reject contract offer from city
The union that represents more than 100 workers at Saskatoon's water and wastewater treatment plants have turned down an offer from the city. Earlier this week, workers in Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 47 voted 93 per cent against the city's latest offer. The union has been without a contract since January 2017.