The GNWT announced that two schools in the South Slave region have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in drinking water. According to testing results being released across the territory, ten of 13 schools so far had elevated levels of lead in drinking water. The GNWT plans to test all schools since launching a comprehensive testing protocol in the fall.
While testing at École Boréale School showed lead levels below Health Canada’s guidelines for the maximum concentration of lead, water testing from Chief Sunrise School and Deninu School showed elevated levels.
In Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Chief Sunrise School testing results showed that water sampling from one of 10 drinking fixtures had elevated levels of lead.
In Fort Resolution, Deninu School water testing “confirmed” that some water fixtures showed lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration of lead. A backgrounder provided in the media release reported that sampling from four of the 15 water fixtures at the school tested above Health Canada Guidelines.
The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer issued public health orders for both schools banning the use of drinking water at the affected water fixtures.
Officials added that they intend to place signage on all affected water fixtures.
Minister Caitlin Cleveland along with GNWT officials announced earlier this month that alternative drinking water will be provided to schools that test positive for elevated levels and support will be provided for schools as they await results.
“An alternative drinking water source will be provided, where it is not already in place,” said officials in the announcement.
In early December officials announced that all schools awaiting testing results would receive support for alternative sources of drinking water.
“The GNWT will support an Education Body that chooses to safely provide alternate drinking water as a precaution while testing and remediation continue. The GNWT will reimburse reasonable, cost-effective expenses so that no school hesitates to act out of concern for budget impacts,” said officials.
Interpretations and previous school testing has shown that elevated lead levels are related to plumbing infrastructure at the affected schools.
“These results represent lead that may leach into the water from plumbing when water sits unused overnight,” reads a backgrounder provided with the announcement.
With 13 school test results announced so far, 10 of those schools have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in the drinking water. The GNWT launched comprehensive testing this fall following a public announcement in May that two schools in the city of Yellowknife had elevated lead in drinking water.
According to the GNWT’s school drinking water webpages, nine schools in the territory are currently undergoing repairs and renovations to address the elevated levels of lead in the drinking water. At some schools the work has been completed including at École William McDonald Middle School where 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.
In late November, the GNWT reported on their test 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.
Earlier this month, the GNWT reported that after examining the water situation at the schools in Ulukhaktok, Fort Good Hope and Hay River, it was found that the source of lead was related to the school’s plumbing.
Two schools in the Hay River area are currently in the process of awaiting results following testing.
