Initial water testing in two Yellowknife schools that showed high levels of lead was conducted by unqualified staff who didn’t use national best practices for water sampling, says the GNWT.
Elevated lead levels at Range Lake North School and William McDonald School were reportedly noticed after two tests months apart this year.
Concerns were raised over why the GNWT and the schools took four months before sending a note home to parents and caregivers over the initial findings in January.
The original sampling process of some 40 older NWT schools — called a pilot project — was undertaken without in-house expertise specific to water testing, no third-party experts were engaged, and internal GNWT water quality experts were not consulted in advance, stated a release.
As a result, the validity of the initial test results — particularly where elevated lead levels were reported — are now in question.
Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland on May 22. Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek is at left. (Assembly livestream)
Last Thursday, Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland acknowledged in the NWT Assembly that, “there’s room to improve how information” was shared with students’ families and staff.
“As a parent, a resident of Yellowknife, and the minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I am deeply concerned by the recent test results indicating elevated lead levels in the drinking water at William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School,” said Cleveland.
“Beyond the test results themselves, it’s clear that there’s room to improve how information is shared, and work is coordinated in situations like this. I’ve directed a third-party review to begin immediately to understand how this happened and ensure full accountability.
“I’m committed to transparency and will report publicly on what we learn and the steps we’ll take in response.”
A department official’s comments in a CBC North story also on Thursday did little to clarify the situation.
The rare late Saturday afternoon news release from Cabinet Communications was issued without attribution to any official.
It came close to providing an apology — ‘the GNWT acknowledges the concern this situation has caused’ — for the disruption to school activities and worry among parents and caregivers.
The GNWT is re-testing all school water sources where elevated lead levels were previously reported, using best practices and appropriate methodology.
Results will be shared as soon as they are received — first with schools and families, and then with the public.
The release stated that all drinking water provided to NWT residents is regularly treated and tested to ensure it meets Canadian drinking water standards.
