Yellowknife’s Mildred Hall School has brought in an environmental clean-up contractor to remove soil contaminated with E coli and coliform bacteria.
In a Wednesday news release, the YK1 school district – which runs the school – said the contamination was noticed after staff cleared a buildup of groundwater in a basement.
Some of that water began pooling on the school grounds after being pumped out. YK1 had remediation firm KBL Environmental test the area and results from those tests, which the district said were received on May 5, showed the presence of the bacteria.
“After receiving the results, the affected area of the school grounds was fenced off to prevent access. Further testing of the soil in the area was arranged. These also revealed the soil to be contaminated,” YK1 stated.
“YK1 continues to work with KBL on a plan to remove the contamination and remediate the area. This work will begin once all testing and planning is completed.
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“In the interim, the area of contamination remains behind temporary fencing. We ask that community members and their pets remain outside the fenced area until the remediation is complete.”
