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Yellowknife Catholic Schools prepare for lead testing
The division has accepted an offer from the GNWT to provide external water bottles to schools while they wait for the tests
“I remain deeply concerned by the test results showing elevated lead levels in drinking water fixtures at schools in our territory.”
– Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland
In a recent announcement to students and staff members, the Yellowknife Catholic School division announced it will use external bottled water for their schools while the GNWT continues to test for lead presence in northern schools.
An offer for external water supplies was made by Caitlin Cleveland, the Minister responsible for Education, Culture, and Employment, who wanted to make sure that schools are not going without water while they wait for lead tests to be carried out.
“Today, I am taking additional steps to protect students and staff while testing continues. Effective immediately, the Government of the Northwest Territories will support any Education Body that chooses to safely provide alternate drinking water as a precaution, even if testing has not yet been completed,” stated the Minister.
“No education body should wait for test results or hesitate because of budget concerns. If alternate drinking water is needed, education bodies should proceed, and the GNWT will support them.”
Catholic School Division Superintendent Adam Murray stated that all three of his schools tested clean for lead contamination last year, but they are choosing to be cautious in the interest of protecting staff and students.
He added this change may cause some friction in the short term, and is asking for families to be patient with them as they navigate this situation.
“We are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff. We will provide updates as the water testing and distribution logistics are finalized.”
The GNWT recently conducted tests on Yellowknife’s Mildred Hall School, where it found that a number of water fountains were showing lead levels above the acceptable threshold.
A Public Health Order was issued for the school, and nine total water fixtures were taken out of service, with a safe alternative water source set to be provided soon.
This was the fourth Yellowknife school to have lead in its water supply this year, following Range Lake North, École William McDonald, and N.J. Macpherson, as well as Dettah’s Kaw Tay Wee School.
