GNWT lifts public heath orders for lead in drinking water at five schools

The GNWT said drinking water fixtures at schools in Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Dettah and Tulita are now within now Health Canada guidelines for lead levels.

Remediation work was completed at Chief Albert Wright School, École St Joseph School, Joseph Burr Tyrrell School, Kaw Tay Whee School and Paul William Kaeser High School, and water is now safe to drink from the affected water fountains and sinks.

“Standard operating procedures are being developed to support ongoing maintenance – including filter replacement and routine re-testing – to ensure the water remains safe over time,” a GNWT news release said.

The GNWT said mitigation work is 65-percent complete at the remaining 31 schools with public health orders still in place. 13 of those sites have completed mitigation, but “require retesting to confirm lead levels.”