Education
Elevated lead in N.J. Macpherson School water confirmed
Health Order requires the entire system be flushed daily; alternative safe drinking water will continue to be provided, says GNWT
Follow-up testing results have confirmed elevated lead levels in the drinking water at N.J. Macpherson School in Yellowknife.
A total of 22 drinking water outlets were tested, and of those five fixtures in the Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5 school showed Tier 2 lead levels above Health Canada’s guideline of five micrograms per litre.
All drinking fountains and water bottle fill stations tested in the South Frame Lake neighbourhood fell below Health Canada’s guideline, the GNWT stated in a Saturday news release.
As a precaution, the Chief Public Health Officer has issued a Health Order requiring the school to flush the whole system daily and provide alternative safe drinking water until mitigation measures are complete.
Drinking fountains will remain available for use.
There are no concerns about lead in the municipal drinking water in Yellowknife or in other NWT communities. Regular testing confirms it meets all safety standards.
Testing of all NWT schools will take place as soon as possible, read the release, following a prioritized approach guided by national best practices and advice from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.
Schools will be prioritized based on factors such as the age of the facility, existing water quality data, the age of students, and results from initial random sampling.
N.J. Macpherson was prioritized for testing due to school’s age, the age of its students, and earlier results showing elevated lead.
A random follow-up sample taken on March 11 had shown lead levels below the guideline.
Recent blood testing of 26 individuals connected to William McDonald School showed results within normal range. Most children who have lead in their blood do not show immediate symptoms, but even low levels can affect development, especially in young children.
School starts for YK1 students on Thursday, August 28th.
If you are concerned about elevated lead levels, the GNWT says to contact Primary Care by completing the Callback Request Form and select: YK Primary Care Regarding Public Health Order.
