The GNWT announced that they received lead testing results for Chief T’Selehye School in Fort Good Hope that “confirmed” that “several” drinking water sources had lead levels above the maximum acceptable guidelines for drinking water.
This is the sixth school in the territory to test positive for elevated levels of lead in drinking water after a comprehensive testing protocol was launched this fall.
In May it was announced that two schools in the Yellowknife area had tested positive for lead concentrations above Health Canada guidelines.
The GNWT reported that after examining the water situation at the school, it was found that the source of lead is related to the school’s plumbing infrastructure.
“Test results indicates that the elevated levels are associated with fixtures within the school rather than the community water supply,” said officials.
The Chief Public Health Officer has issued a Public Health Order and implemented a flushing protocol for the school.
GNWT said that the school is implementing a flushing protocol to flush out the lead.
“Effective immediately, Chief T’Selehye School is required to flush all affected fixtures for three minutes each morning before use. All sinks and fountains remain available and safe to use. Drinking water fixtures identified in the Public Health Order will remain in service with the flushing protocol in place until mitigation measures are completed.”
The GNWT said they are taking the following steps to address the issue:
- The Departments of Infrastructure and Education, Culture and Employment are working together to identify and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
- Once corrective actions are completed, follow-up testing will be carried out and submitted to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer for review.
Some schools are currently in the process of awaiting results following testing this, but the GNWT is planning to test all of the schools in the N.W.T.
The GNWT announced on Friday that alternative drinking water support is being made available to schools in the territory.
In late November, the GNWT reported that tests results showed the Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah and Mildred Hall in Yellowknife had tested positive for elevated levels of lead in their drinking water.
At École William McDonald Middle School, 14 water fixtures were repaired or replaced in the fall. Officials said a maintenance and a monitoring order remains in place for flushing and filter monitoring. The do not consume order on water was lifted after the last test results on Aug. 29.
At N.J. Macpherson School, 23 water fixtures were repaired or replaced, and a Do Not Consume Order remains in place. Officials report that the work is ongoing.
At Range Lake North School, 32 water fixtures were replaced or repaired.
