Three more schools show high levels of lead in drinking water, testing so far confirms that 35 of 45 schools sites in the N.W.T. have elevated levels of lead, about 78 per cent. Two more schools in the territory showed elevated levels of copper in drinking water.
School water testing results were announced for five more schools in the territory with three schools showing elevated levels of lead and two showing elevated levels of copper.
A message from the GNWT read that at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence, Mezi Community School in Whati and Jean Wetrade School in Gametį̀ water from some fixtures tested above Health Canada Guidelines for lead.
The Mezi Community School in Whati showed elevated levels of copper as well.
École Įtłʼǫ̀ in Yellowknife did not show elevated lead but there was elevated copper present from one water fixture, said the GNWT.
According to the Thursday evening message, water samples from Kakisa Territorial School in Kakisa did not show levels of lead or copper above the guidelines.
Last month, testing at 11 school building sites in the N.W.T. showed elevated levels of lead present in water samples taken from some drinking taps. Some of the water samples at schools also showed elevated copper levels.
A message from GNWT read that affected taps Deh Gah School, Mezi School and Jean Wetrade School are officially “out of service with alternative drinking water provided “where it is not already in place.”
“Effective immediately, affected water fixtures and water fountains at Deh Gah School, Mezi School and Jean Wetrade School will be out of service or flushed as required, and an alternative drinking water source will be provided, where it is not already in place.”
Officials said follow-up testing will be conducted once corrective measures are complete. Follow-up testing will be used to assess whether the water meets Canada’s drinking water guidelines, read the GNWT’s message.
Officials added that the use of the affected fixtures can only resume once new safety systems are in place.
Remediation measures for the affected water fixtures could include replacing fixtures or installing filters. More information about remediation measures will be added to the school drinking water webpage.
The message also indicated that testing for Kakisa School and École Įtłʼǫ̀ was complete and testing confirmed that all water fixtures showed lead levels below the maximum acceptable concentration according to the guidelines.
One fixture at École Įtłʼǫ̀ required flushing dure to elevated copper.
In today’s announcement, a message from the GNWT als read that work to remediate fountains and sinks at Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife was completed. The school’s test results of elevated lead were released in November 2025.
“The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) has lifted the Health Order previously in place at Mildred Hall School, following confirmation that lead levels in drinking water are within Health Canada guidelines. Standard operating procedures are being developed to support ongoing maintenance — including filter replacement and routine re-testing — to ensure the water remains safe over time.”
Tow officials from the department of Infrastructure have said the N.W.T. plans to look at testing more public buildings including health care centres and hospitals, once school testing is completed.
Celeste MacKay, Assistant Deputy Minister, Asset Management and Robin Ferguson, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister at the Department of Infrastructure reported the GNWT plans to look at testing more public buildings once school testing is completed.
This would include hospitals and health care centres along with other public facilities which have not been tested to date.
“Prioritization testing efforts will continue to be based on factors such as typical age of occupants and use type, the age of the facility, and the potential exposure risk if elevated concentrations of lead are detected,” said MacKay.
As of May 1, timelines had not been set for when testing in other facilities would begin. North Now reached out for more information and will share those details when they become available.
With the majority of school sites showing elevated levels of lead, the GNWT’s department of Infrastructure said the contamination is rooted in plumbing infrastructure.
“In NWT context, the primary source of lead in school drinking water is understood to be plumbing in the buildings including brass fixtures (pre-2014) and older pipe solder (pre-1990). Certified low-lead plumbing fixtures came into effect in Canada in 2014, requiring brass fitting to have a weighted average of no more than 0.25% lead content for drinking water systems. Older materials were allowed up to 8% lead content,” said MacKay.
“Pipe solder containing lead was officially banned in 1986, but published in the 1990 National Plumbing Code. This provided time to ensure stock was removed from the supply chain. Pipe solder may still contain 0.2% lead content, and under certain conditions, could result in lead leaching,” added MacKay.
MacKay said water from water treatment plants has not shown “any exceedance” in lead levels for any of the communities in the N.W.T. Water treatment plants in communities across the N.W.T. are tested annually, but MacKay said they were also tested in tandem with the school sites.
“During school water testing, samples of water representative of municipal supply are taken, and have so far indicated no lead.”
