Yellowknife Catholic Schools says its schools will switch to bottled water while awaiting tests for lead after education minister Caitlin Cleveland said the NWT government would cover the cost.
The GNWT is testing all of the territory’s 40-plus schools for elevated lead levels in their water after positive tests at some Yellowknife schools.
Last week, Cleveland said the territory would reimburse “reasonable costs” if schools yet to be tested wanted to switch to alternative water sources while they wait.
YCS told parents in a Sunday letter it “will be accepting the offer of support” from the minister while new tests are carried out at its schools.
The GNWT carried out earlier tests at YCS schools but the territory has since said some of its early testing was faulty.
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“All three of our schools were tested in the initial round of lead testing last year and showed no concerns. However, when the minister of education extends an offer of support in the interest of student and staff safety, I am inclined to accept it,” YCS superintendent Adam Murray wrote on Sunday.
“We believe this is a prudent, precautionary measure while the updated testing protocol is completed.”
