Testing shows high concentrations of fuel in tank at Iqaluit's water treatment plant

The City of Iqaluit says testing shows a high concentration of fuel in a tank that supplies water to the Nunavut capital.

Officials at a news conference Friday said the fuel could be diesel or kerosene.

"The results of water quality testing showed exceedingly high concentrations of various fuel components in the sample collected from that tank," said Amy Elgersma, the city's chief administrative officer.

Residents of the community of 8,000 people were told Tuesday not to drink tap water after it was discovered it may be contaminated by fuel.

The Nunavut government has been flying in shipments of potable water, while many residents have collected fresh water from a nearby river.