Drinking Water Consumption Patterns and Changes Over Time in Rigolet, , Canada

Carlee Wright1, Inez Shiwak2 , Jan Sargeant1,, Victoria Edge1,3, James Ford3,4, Khosrow Farahbakhsh1, RICG3, IHACC Research Team4, & Sherilee Harper1,4 1University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; 2Rigolet Community Government, Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, , Canada; 3Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change Research Team; 4McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Introduction: Research Goal & Objectives Discussion & Next Steps Goal: Examine current and historical drinking water consumption patterns in the Inuit community of Water & Waterborne Illness in Northern Canada Main sources of drinking water changed signifcantly over Rigolet, Nunatsiavut. time, yet secondary water sources remained consistent. Safe drinking water is essential for health, yet a large proportion of Inuit adults in Canada state concern over Objectives Although originating from the same surface water source the quality of water at their home, and feel that it is 1. Investigate current patterns of drinking water consumption, including sources used and daily volume (a local lake), ratings of ADWS water were more 1 contaminated at various times during the year . One of of water consumed. frequently rated as “good” or “very good” than tap water; the highest self-reported incidence rates of enteric illness 2. Assess associations between household & demographic factors and water consumption patterns. further analysis is required to understand these (i.e. diarrhea and/or vomiting) in the global peer- 3. Investigate changes in water consumption over time. perceptions, and the degree to which aesthetic appeal reviewed literature occurs in Inuit communities in the and perceptions of safety infuence choice of drinking

Canadian Arctic and this may be, in part, due to water. 2 Methods consumption of contaminated water . Perceptions of water safety and aesthetic appeal may infuence a Community Survey Next steps include linking the surveys by individual ID to person’s choice of drinking water source, such as tap This study used a subset of data from three cross-sectional census surveys conducted in Rigolet between assess individual changes and patterns of drinking water water, untreated brook water, purchased bottled water, 2012 and 2014. Survey dates were: September 2012, May 2013, & June 2014. Surveys were administered consumption over time. Multivariable regression models or other sources. on iPads by local research associates. Data were collected on multiple topics of interest, including food will be used to identify potential factors contributing to

security, drinking water consumption, and acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI). daily volume of water consumption and use of various Drinking Water in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut Rigolet is located in Nunatsiavut, an Inuit land-claim Statistical Analysis water sources. region along the coast of Labrador, Canada. Rigolet has a STATA 13 I/C was used to produce descriptive statistics and perform univariable logistic regression to population of 306 people3, with 95% self-identifying as examine factors associated with usage of various drinking water sources. Inuit. There are four sources of water available in Rigolet: chlorinated, unfltered tap water; untreated brook water; Preliminary Results purchased bottled water; and water from the advanced Current consumption patterns drinking water system (ADWS), which is fltered and ▶ The median amount of water consumed per day was two 500mL servings (1L). Rigolet, Nunatsiavut disinfected. The ADWS was installed in January 2014 to ▶ Women had 1.87 times greater odds of drinking bottled water than men (95% CI 1.09-3.22). address concerns over the safety of the municipal tap ▶ 65.8% of residents used the ADWS as their main source of drinking water (95% CI 59.7-71.5%). Acknowledgements water. Residents bring containers to this station to fll and Tap Water Ratings, 2014 ADWS Water Ratings, 2014 Sincere thanks to the people of Rigolet, RICG, Charlotte Wolfrey, Michelle Wood, store for later use. Ratings of Water Sources: and the dedicated work of local surveyors over the course of this research, 1.7% 6.9% Very ▶ 96.1% of those who consumed water including Charlie Flowers, Marilyn Baikie, & Dina Wolfrey. This research is 18.1% 1.7% Poor funded by the IK-ADAPT and Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change 9.7% from the ADWS rated it as “good” or Projects; see www.ihacc.ca to learn more about IHACC initiatives. Poor “very good” (95% CI 91.9-98.1%). 43.2% 0.6% ▶ 62.5% of people rated their tap water Fair 20.8% quality as “good” or “very good” (95%

Good CI 50.5-73.1%). 52.8% 44.4% Very Good Poster Presenters

Main Drinking Water Sources Secondary Drinking Water Sources Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, 4 NL, Canada Sept 2012 May 2013 Jun 2014 Sept 2012 May 2013 Jun 2014 Brook 7.1% 5.7% 12.3% Water 27.7% Bottled Water 24.6% 47.8% 24.6% Carlee Wright Inez Shiwak 50.0% 52.2% Research Associate 65.6% Tap MSc Epidemiology Student 1.2% Water 40.4% [email protected] [email protected] 13.8% 27.8% 34.8%34.8% ADWS 40.3% 40.4% 17.1% Water 29.8% 23.3% 21.7% References 1. Statistics Canada. The Health of First Nations Living Off-Reserve, Inuit, and Métis Adults in Canada: The Impact

of Socio-economic Status on Inequalities in Health. Available: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-622-x/82-622- Signifcant decreases in use of tap, bottled, and brook water Secondary drinking water sources remained relatively

x2010004-eng.pdf occurred after the arrival of the ADWS (p<0.05). consistent after the arrival of the ADWS

2. Harper, Sherilee L., et al. "Weather, water quality and infectious gastrointestinal illness in two Inuit

communities in Nunatsiavut, Canada: potential implications for climate change." EcoHealth 8.1 (2011): 93-108. Changes over time: 3. Statistics Canada. 2012. Rigolet, Newfoundland and Labrador (Code 1011010) and Division No. 11, Old Graveyard Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador (Code 1011) (table). Census Profle. 2011 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue ▶ Consumption of tap, brook, & bottled water decreased signifcantly after the installation of the ADWS. where some residents Filling a water jug at the no. 98-316-XWE. Ottawa. Released October 24, 2012. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/ ▶ Secondary sources of drinking water remained relatively constant despite the addition of the ADWS. dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed November 24, 2015). collect drinking water. FillingADWS a water jug station at the ADWS in station Rigolet. in Rigolet. 4. “Rigolet, Labrador,” Map. Google Maps. Google, 20 November 2015. Web. 24 November 2015.