Yellowknife’s NJ Macpherson School is the latest to record elevated lead levels in some of its water fixtures.
In a Saturday news release, the NWT government said 22 sinks and fountains at the school were tested. At least five fixtures had lead levels above Health Canada guidelines.
NJ Macpherson is the third school in the city to face action over elevated lead levels in its water. William McDonald School had lead levels that were, in some cases, dozens of times beyond the Health Canada guidelines. Range Lake North School also recorded some elevated levels of lead.
The GNWT said NJ Macpherson’s drinking fountains and water bottle fill stations all tested below the Health Canada guidelines, meaning only sinks are affected. The levels published by the GNWT on Saturday were not as high as some of the tests at William McDonald School, but a few readings were still well beyond the guideline.
“With the return to school just around the corner, I know that this news is distressing,” Shirley Zouboules, superintendent of the YK1 school district that includes NJ Macpherson, William McDonald and Range Lake North, said in a statement to parents.
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Testing in March had not detected problems at NJ Macpherson. However, the GNWT has since criticized its own testing methodology used earlier this year, and the new tests were carried out independently by Taiga Environmental Laboratory.
The GNWT said the territory’s chief public health officer has now ordered the school to flush its water system daily and “provide alternative safe drinking water until mitigation measures are complete.”
Drinking fountains will remain available for use.
More: Read a GNWT document setting out the test results
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The GNWT has said it is trying to test for lead in all of the territory’s schools “as soon as possible” after the issue of lead in some facilities became apparent earlier this year.
William McDonald School registered concerning test results as early as January, but the territorial government failed to meaningfully act on those results until late May, when the school closed off its water supply and switched to alternatives like bottled water. Work to address that school’s lead levels is ongoing.
“NJ Macpherson was prioritized for testing due to school’s age, the age of its students, and earlier results showing elevated lead,” the GNWT stated on Saturday. The territory’s timeline for testing other Yellowknife schools and those elsewhere in the NWT wasn’t clear, but a briefing for reporters is promised early next week.
News ‘difficult to receive’
After elevated lead at William McDonald School was confirmed, some students and staff signed up for blood testing. Tests of 26 people “showed results within normal range,” the GNWT stated, though chief public health officer Dr Kami Kandola has previously stated that blood tests aren’t necessarily effective at picking up exposure recorded months or years ago.
Some current and former YK1 staff members have expressed grave concern about their wellbeing after years drinking water that appears to have been contaminated with high levels of lead. At least one has requested referral to an occupational health physician and suggested a bone scan may be the most appropriate means of assessing the effect on their body.
If you are concerned about elevated lead levels, the GNWT stated, contact Yellowknife Primary Care.
“There are no concerns about lead in the municipal drinking water in Yellowknife or in other NWT communities. Regular testing confirms it meets all safety standards,” the territory added.
“Testing of all NWT schools will take place as soon as possible, following a prioritized approach guided by national best practices and advice from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer. Schools will be prioritized based on factors such as the age of the facility, existing water quality data, the age of students, and results from initial random sampling.”
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The territory’s schools have not historically been tested for lead, meaning there’s no way to know how long lead contamination above guideline levels has been an issue in the affected facilities.
More: Kami Kandola, health expert and mom, on the William Mac tests
In a separate statement, Zouboules said she recognized that for parents, “this news will be difficult to receive and that you will have many questions.”
“As you’re aware, previous water testing had been done at NJ Macpherson. While random sample testing taken on March 11 indicated levels below Health Canada’s guideline, results received August 21 indicated levels slightly above Health Canada’s guidelines,” she wrote.
“The identified water sources of concern were marked off and have not been used since.
“Please know that Yellowknife Education District No 1 is working closely with the GNWT to take necessary steps to address this issue and that safe alternative water sources will be available to staff and students until the issue is resolved. The health and safety of our staff and students is of the utmost importance.”
How does this affect you?
If you’re affected by this summer’s news of elevated lead levels at Yellowknife schools, you can use the form below to tell us more.
