Nunavut Water Board Public Hearing Rankin Inlet, Nunavut May 18-19, 2010 Water License #3BM-GRA----, Government of Nunavut, Dept. of Community and Government Services Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, Kivalliq Region, Renewal Application

Outline  INAC Roles and Responsibilities  INAC’s Areas of Concern - Water Use/Lake Drawdown - Outstanding Issues related to Application - Sludge Management - Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting  Summary  Questions

INAC’S Role and Responsibility in Municipal Water License Reviews  INAC’s regulatory responsibilities for waters management involve participating in the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s (NIRB) and the Nunavut Water Board’s (NWB) procedures for environmental assessment and water licensing.  INAC participates in the water licensing process led by the Nunavut Water Board as a party with interest in conserving and protecting Nunavut’s freshwater Resources.  INAC’s participation in these activities includes: 1)Reviewing and assessing water-related applications, reports, studies and designs. 2)Providing recommendations and technical advice to the NIRB and NWB on projects involving water. 3)Monitoring the compliance of water license holders with the terms and conditions of their license.

INAC’s Areas of Concern  Water Use/Lake Drawdown  Outstanding Issues related to the Application  Sewage/Sludge Management  Water quality monitoring and Reporting

Water Use/Lake Drawdown  The previous (expired) license #3BM-GRA0207 allowed for an annual quantity of water use not to exceed 400,000 m 3 /year.  The proponent is seeking to increase the allowable water use to 850,000 m 3 /year.  Current daily water use is 2,400 m 3 /day (reported from 2008).  Annual water use 876,000 m 3 /year (calculated from daily use).  Permitted use of 400,000 m 3 /year (water license).  Amount of water going into Nipissar Lake 314,000 m 3 /year.

Water Use/Lake Drawdown cont.  A Bathymetric Study, was carried out by the Department of Natural Resources Canada, Nunavut Research Institute and the Department of Community and Government Services, on Nipissar Lake in the summer of  This is a study of how much water a lake can hold. In this case Nipissar lake.  This study found that the lake contains (holds) almost 2.9 billion litres of water.  The study also included historical data which indicated that the lake has decreased from almost 3.5 billion litres in 1994 to its current level of almost 2.9 billion litres in This is a decrease of almost 600 million litres.  In a letter dated November 24, 2009 from Mr. Wayne Thistle to the Nunavut Water Board. Mr Thistle indicates that it appears that Nipissar Lake has dropped 2.5 feet.  Also Mr. Ralph Ruediger at the April 19, 2010 teleconference indicated that the water intake at Nipissar Lake had to be lowered because of apparent lower water levels of the lake.

 The proponent has indicated that other studies into the sustainability of Nipissar Lake as an adequate water source for the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet are on-going and that these studies will be complete by Dec 31,  The GN has also recognized that there may be a need for additional or alternate water sources.  All current data that has been gathered so far indicates that Nipissar Lake is being drawn down (lowered) and can no longer support the continuing growth of the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet.  Given that there appears to be drawdown of the lake, INAC supports the need to secure an additional water source.  With this being said, INAC recommends that the proponent be given an approval of a water license for one year. Water Use/Lake Drawdown cont.

Outstanding Issues Related To The Application  Throughout the renewal process the proponent was advised about errors and omissions with the renewal application and associated operation and maintenance plans. The revised operation and maintenance plans have recently been placed on the NWB public website.  It was also agreed upon by all parties, at the April 19 th teleconference, that the proponent could re-submit the renewal application and applicable plans at the public hearing held on May 18 and 19, 2010.

 In the Renewal Application it states that sewage sludge from the sewage treatment facility is disposed of at the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet’s Solid Waste Facility (landfill) at a rate of 1 m 3 /week (1000 Litres).  A written agreement, between the Hamlet and the GN, should exist to allow for the disposal of the sewage sludge at the Hamlet’s Solid Waste Facility.  Another concern is that the sewage sludge produced is being disposed of at an unapproved (unlicensed) facility. The landfill currently does not have an approved water license. Sewage/Sludge Management

Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting  As part of any water license, water quality monitoring and reporting are required as per the conditions of the water licence. In the past these conditions were met sporadically.  INAC recommends that more diligence must be given to fulfilling the terms and conditions of the water license.

Summary  INAC’s responsibility is for the conservation and protection of freshwater resources in the Territory.  INAC’s primary concern is with water use and the drawdown of Nipissar Lake.  The data suggests that at the current rate of water use, Nipissar Lake is not an adequate water source for the growing Hamlet of Rankin Inlet.  Revisions of the water license application are to be presented at the public hearing.  Sewage sludge has to be disposed of at an approved licensed facility, with the necessary written agreements in place.

Questions?

Thank you - Qujannamiik - Koana