Boil water advisories and bottled water shipments aren’t normal, but do they constitute a “crisis?”

Gjoa Haven has been dealing with what the hamlet has called a “water service disruption” since Jan. 15, when a break was discovered in the pipe that brings water from Swan Lake to the hamlet’s treatment plant.

Nunatsiaq News used the word “crisis” in a recent headline and in a Jan. 20 story to describe the situation.

The dictionary definition — “a time of danger or great difficulty” — seemed to fit.

But Mayor Raymond Quqshuun’s recent Facebook post explaining why the hamlet council has not declared a local state of emergency led us to rethink whether crisis is the right word.

The mayor said his community of 1,500 people has faced “significant challenges” with its water system and equipment. But are significant challenges the same as great difficulties?

A local state of emergency is declared when a municipality can’t provide essential services. It gives officials powers they don’t normally possess to deal with the situation.

On Monday, the mayor reported water delivery is taking place, water dispensers for filling jugs are being set up, and a portable filtration system is on its way.

Water that is boiled for a minute — though less convenient and perhaps less appealing — is safe to drink.

Based on advice from Nunavut Emergency Management, Quqshuun said declaring a state of emergency wouldn’t lead to any additional shipments of water.

It’s surprising that Gjoa Haven hadn’t declared a state of emergency. But the mayor’s explanation makes sense.

On the other hand, officials in other northern communities have responded to similar water system challenges by declaring a state of emergency.

In December, Kugaaruk declared one after sea water flooded the hamlet’s water treatment plant. Government offices and schools were closed while the community was under a do-not-consume order. Nunavut Emergency Management arranged for bottled water shipments.

A year ago, Puvirnituq had a similar problem that led to an emergency declaration. It experienced a water shortage so dire that elders were moved south and schools were closed.

The fact that a broken pipe — a basic piece of municipal infrastructure — has forced Gjoa Haven to face “significant challenges” stands in stark contrast to the federal government’s push to build big infrastructure projects.

For a year, the federal government has talked about “supercharging” the construction of nation-building projects ­­— ports, mines, railways and highways — to stimulate economic activity.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon announced the federal government is now accepting applications from companies that want a portion of its $1-billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund.

Meanwhile, Gjoa Haven waits for warmer weather when the ground can thaw long enough to repair its pipe so its residents can have treated water to drink.

There’s a lot we don’t know about what’s going on in Gjoa Haven. How significant are the challenges? How long can it go on before the difficulties are considered to be too great?

That’s why we need to hear from people in Gjoa Haven. Reporter Nehaa Bimal has been following the story.

Sharing information with other Nunavummiut and other Canadians helps them understand what — if anything — needs to be done to help.