Lead discovered in water systems of École Allain St-Cyr school

Another NWT school has been found with lead in its water systems after extensive testing.

As the GNWT continues to test for lead in every northern school, the latest confirmation has come from Yellowknife’s École Allain St-Cyr. Testing has confirmed that some water fixtures show lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Following these results, and what has been done with other schools with lead in their water systems, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer has issued a Public Health Order for the school.

All of the affected water fixtures at École Allain St-Cyr have been taken out of services, and external water sources will be provided where not already available.

The GNWT is working to resolve the issues with the affected fixtures, whether that be replacing the fixtures themselves or installing filters. Once all the corrections have been made, additional testing will be carried out by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer. Once their testing confirms that lead levels have dropped below the maximum acceptable concentration, use of the fixtures will be allowed to continue.

Throughout their process of testing schools, the GNWT has been working with different education bodies to provide schools with external water supplies, even if they have not yet been tested for lead. They have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring safe drinking water in all schools and will continue monitoring systems, conducting regular testing, and sharing updates as the territory-wide testing program progresses.