Two more schools in the territory have tested positive for lead in some of their drinking water fixtures. The government of the Northwest Territories announced today that they received lead testing results for Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School in Behchokǫ̀ and École St. Joseph School in Yellowknife.
The two schools join a growing list of 14 other schools out of 20 tested schools in the N.W.T. that have tested positive for elevated lead in drinking water.
Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School and École St. Joseph School were tested in late January as part of comprehensive testing that began this fall after elevated levels of lead were found in drinking water at two Yellowknife area schools.
“Testing has confirmed that some water fixtures show lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality,” read the message issued by officials.
Following results, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer ordered that affected water fixtures be placed out of service.
According to the announcement, alternative drinking water sources are being provided as needed.
A message from the GNWT reported that the following steps are being taken to address the issue:
- Identify and implement remediation measures for the affected water fixtures, such as replacing fixtures or installing filters. More detailed information on remediation measures will be added to the webpage as it is confirmed.
- Once all corrective measures are completed, follow-up testing will be carried out and reported to the OCPHO for health risk assessment.
- Use of affected fixtures will only resume once new safety systems are in place, testing confirms the water meets all health standards, and approval is provided by the OCPHO.
With 20 tested school results announced to date, 16 have tested positive for elevated levels of lead in some of their drinking water fixtures.
