Residents of Bolungarvík and Flateyri struggle with water contamination, turning to bottled water from Ísafjörður

Residents of Bolungarvík and Flateyri, facing contamination issues with their drinking water, have resorted to purchasing bottled water in large quantities from Ísafjörður. Notably, all available water at the local Bónus supermarket has sold out due to high demand.

Heavy rainfall has triggered landslides, disrupting travel routes and compromising local water sources. The contamination is primarily due to soil entering the water supply, with some food establishments in Bolungarvík temporarily closing as a precaution.

The situation has become quite dire for the affected communities, leading many to visit stores in Ísafjörður to stock up on bottled and canned water. A store manager at Bónus reported that by midday, their shelves were completely emptied. The most sought-after products were sparkling water and the popular Kristal brand, which has also quickly run out of stock.

In response to the overwhelming demand, efforts are underway to restock supplies for the following day. Residents are anxiously navigating these challenging circumstances in light of ongoing environmental issues and the necessity for safe drinking water.