Winter Water Land

As of today, it’s been a month since I left the warmer climate of Niagara Falls, and travelled through

Niagara Falls' Bridal Veil dressed in Winter White

Winnipeg (with an overnight stop) and continued on to YTR Rankin (anytime now it will be an International one). Since then, according to CNN, the Falls have froze and cold weather has continued with much more snow than usual. Those lower temps do a number on car batteries but does more of a job on sitting water.

Here in Rankin Inlet, we have had a few blizzards and very cold temps, but the weekend weather is scheduled (as of this afternoon) to be -6 and -3 for Saturday and Sunday… a far cry from the -58 with wind chill of the blizzard two weekends ago.

With cold weather comes water issues. I’ve been told that the ice on Hudson’s Bay can reach 7 feet thick or more (hence the need for auger extensions on the ice drills used for ice fishing). I certainly won’t be ‘dipping my pole’ this weekend, but around town we have really had some interesting events.

'Big Bertha' working hard at our apartment building at noon today

The last time I was here in January 2008, there were some water issues at the Health Centre but that pertained to frozen water in the fire sprinklers that caused some flooding at the time. I can still see us mopping the floors at the health centre, trying to get it opened ASAP. When I left in late January, at the end of our longest recorded blizzard in canadian weather history, the airport had experienced the same type problem...computers were down and liquid water was everywhere. All tickets, and boarding passes were hand logged.

The fire sprinkler issues seem to have been dealt with, but water delivery seems a more pressing problem. One of the apartment blocks in town, located not far from the health centre, is used for staff housing for the GN (Government of Nunavut). This building has had intermittent problems over the

There's a reason these buildings are built on stilts

past two weeks with the main supply pipes freezing and, of course, the result is restricted water or more likely, non-supply. I’ve noticed a large trailer about town parked at various locations, mostly on the street. There’s always steam coming out the chimney on the trailer.

Last weekend, our building started to experience a failing water supply. Saturday we had no water from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., but then supply had returned and we had notes placed under our doors asking us to assist by leaving some water running in our bath tubs. Sunday, I got up early, checked the water supply (it was running) and went to do some laundry. By ten, the pipes were dry. And then the water returned about 2 p.m.

Inside Big Bertha

Monday evening about 8 p.m. after I had finished doing the dishes, the well was dry, so to speak. That continued until noon today (Wednesday). We now have a trickle, which is all you need to fill your toilet tank. Yesterday afternoon the landlord delivered two gallons of bottled water to each apartment. With that and the extra two gallons, of non-drinkable water, we have survived another northern exposure. Dishes were done this morning and showering before work took place at the health centre for many of us both yesterday and today.

It was like camping in a heated 1000 square foot cube van. We had lights and power, heat, and internet connections…we just couldn’t flush our toilet and wash the dishes easily. With the weekend’s warning I had taken the precaution, of filling up a couple of larger pots with water…just in case. Was able to prepare supper each night and do the dishes in the morning. A couple of extra trips back and forth to the health centre meant we had water to wash and flush and continue on.

This noon hour as I walked back to the apartment with my one gallon jug of potable, the famous white trailer named ‘Becky’ was backed in tight to our building…steam belching forth from the stack. A couple of guys were busy adjusting the knobs and checking the dials. My curiosity got the better of me and I stopped back at the trailer after delivering the gallon jug….AND FINDING THAT THE WATER WAS RUNNING AGAIN!!!!!

The hot hose melted the packed ice and snow

On my way back to work I stopped to see how they were handling the frozen pipes. The process is most interesting for sure. Now I don’t know if this is how it is done down south…I hope I never have to learn firsthand. Here in Rankin Inlet, they drill a hole in the supply line to the building. Through this is inserted a long, half-inch heavy duty pressure hose. Similar to a vascular surgeon removing a clot from a major artery, the process unwinds as follows.

Water is heated to approximately 190 degrees and forced down the hose at a PSI of almost 2400. The end of the hose is advance to the clot (oops, ice jam) and the combination of pressure and hot water melts the icy centre and the hose is advanced further as the frozen water liquefies. Eventually the end of the frozen water blockage is cleared and water flows. The 'melting hose' is then removed as quickly as possible and the newly installed access valve is closed…ready for another day!

What is more interesting though...and I’m not sure that I have it 100%...Is that our building has a 6" supply line. In order that the pipes don't freeze normally, there is also a one inch line that acts as a return to the main street supply. A circulating pump keeps water moving in the main building supply and when there is no demand returns water to the street supply forming a complete circuit. This keeps the water moving and (hopefully) not freezing solid.

Guy and Jason inside 'Big Bertha'

When I had returned home at noon and checked the pressure, I found it to be substantially less than normal.The reason being the 'de-icers' had done the return line first and the main 6 inch pipe was being worked on. The building was actually being fed by the 1 inch return line...but we had water.

At this writing, I'd like to thank Guy and his cohort Jason, who explained this whole process in his best St. John's, Newfoundlander speak. Tomorrow, we'll update this and talk about the other Winter Water Wonderland Attractions on the Rankin Route Walking Tour....Hopefully "we be talkin' 'bout the pipes is froze" in the past tense!

Oh, and a Happy 60th Rick!