The NWT’s chief public health officer has issued an order for two schools after test results indicated elevated lead levels in their drinking water.
According to a Thursday evening press release, testing has confirmed that some water fixtures at Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School in Behchokǫ̀ and École St Joseph School in Yellowknife show lead levels above drinking water quality guidelines.
The territory said affected water fixtures and fountains at the schools are now out of service and alternative sources of drinking water will be provided. In a separate statement, Yellowknife Catholic Schools said St Joe’s had already been operating on bottled water.
The GNWT said it is working to identify and implement mitigation measures such as replacing the affected fixtures or installing filters.
It said use of the affected fixtures will only resume once testing confirms the water meets health standards and after approval from the chief public health officer.
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The territorial government is testing more than 40 schools’ water after the water at some Yellowknife schools was found to have lead above Health Canada guideline limits in water coming from some fixtures.
The GNWT has said it will provide bottled water to any education body that chooses an alternative drinking water source as a precaution while waiting for testing.
“The GNWT remains committed to ensuring safe drinking water in all schools and will continue monitoring systems, conducting regular testing, and sharing updates as the territory-wide testing program progresses,” the territory stated.
