NIRB posted its notice of screening and comment request for file 26WN045 on Sept. 8. The Government of Nunavut’s Municipal Works Division is seeking to renew water licence 3BM-GRI2636 to 2047 and amend it to a Type A licence. NIRB’s project record says the change is needed to operate the new Grise Fiord water-treatment plant, which was previously reviewed under a separate NIRB file. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The proposed licence would govern how Grise Fiord collects and stores water for its year-round drinking-water supply. The project summary says Airport River would remain the source and withdrawals could reach 2,160 cubic metres per day during seasonal collection. That water would refill three storage tanks with a combined capacity of 13,200 cubic metres. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

Public commenting began Sept. 8. NIRB’s dashboard listed the file as active screening when checked Sept. 11, but did not show an end date for comments. NIRB will decide whether the proposal can proceed through screening; the Nunavut Water Board is the listed water-licence authority. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The project summary says pumping could last up to 45 days under seasonal treatment or up to seven days under year-round treatment. It says the maximum daily withdrawal equals about 0.9 per cent of Airport River’s observed average daily flow, based on the proponent’s hydrologic assessment. NIRB’s record identifies Airport River as non-fish-bearing, while the proponent proposes monitoring and recording withdrawals and recirculated water. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗