École Allain St-Cyr is the latest Yellowknife school to be issued with a public health order over elevated lead levels in its water.
More than 30 schools territory-wide have now been tested after issues were first identified in the water of other Yellowknife schools last year, attributed to materials used in older plumbing.
Results from the École Allain St-Cyr tests show one sample, from a hallway drinking fountain, contained lead levels 10 times higher than the Health Canada guideline limit. Even after extended flushing, the drinking fountain’s water remained above the guideline cap.
In all, 15 of the 30 fixtures tested produced results above Health Canada guidelines for lead. Two of the 30 fixtures exceeded guideline limits for copper.
“As Garderie Plein Soleil is located within the school, testing included shared spaces, and elevated lead levels were identified in a fixture located in a jointly accessed area,” the GNWT stated in a news release, referring to a daycare connected to École Allain St-Cyr.
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“Effective immediately, affected water fixtures and water fountains at École Allain St-Cyr in Yellowknife will be out of service, and an alternative drinking water source will be provided where it is not already in place.”
Work will now begin to replace fixtures and install filters where necessary.
