Latest news with #ÉcoleWilliamMcDonald
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
N.W.T. gov't says it didn't use 'best practices' for lead testing at schools
Less than a week after parents were notified lead samples were found in two Yellowknife schools' drinking water, the N.W.T. government is saying it did not use best practices in the initial testing. In an emailed press release that was sent out late Saturday afternoon, the government said the initial water testing in schools "was not conducted using national best practices for water sampling." The government also noted it also undertook the original sampling process without in-house expertise specific to water testing. It said it didn't engage any third-party experts and didn't consult its own internal water quality experts in advance. CBC requested an interview with the department. The N.W.T. Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) previously told CBC it initially decided to test for lead after "increased public attention to the issue," and particularly because of media coverage of testing in the Yukon being delayed. News of lead in the school drinking water broke last week after Yellowknife Education District No. 1 sent notices to parents and staff, stating lead levels in École William McDonald's drinking water were detected at 0.00903 milligrams per litre, while Range Lake School's levels were 0.025 milligrams per litre. Canada's drinking water guidelines state the maximum acceptable level is 0.005 milligrams per litre. Days after the notices were sent out, ECE said in an email that it received its initial test results for water at École William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School on Jan. 22. In Saturday's update, the government said "although the original intent was to complete testing quickly with available resources, the lack of expert involvement compromised the reliability of both the process and the results." The territorial government is now re-testing all school water sources where elevated lead levels were previously reported and said "results will be shared as soon as they are received – first with the schools and families, and then with the public." Review of the situation going forward A review of "how this situation unfolded" is currently underway, the government said in its emailed press release. "The GNWT acknowledges the concern this situation has caused. While the original intent of this project was to help confirm the safety of school drinking water, the issues identified in the testing process are now enabling clearer steps to ensure water quality and, if necessary, corrective action," the government wrote. In a statement issued last Wednesday, ECE Minister Caitlin Cleavland said she is "deeply concerned" about the lead levels in the school water but did not commit to making the review itself public.
CBC
6 days ago
- Health
- CBC
High lead levels at Yellowknife schools were first detected months before parents were notified
High lead levels at two Yellowknife schools were first detected months before parents and staff were notified of the issue. In an email, the N.W.T. Department of Education, Culture and Employment said it received its initial test results for water at École William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School on Jan. 22. It consulted with the office of the chief public health officer and did a second round of testing. The results were confirmed on April 4. "Parents were informed once sufficient information had been gathered to provide a clear and accurate update. That said, further testing is still required to confirm actual risk level within those locations," the department stated. Parents and staff at the two schools were notified by Yellowknife Education District No. 1 of the issue on Monday. Lead levels in École William McDonald's drinking water were detected at 0.00903 milligrams per litre, while Range Lake School's levels were 0.025 milligrams per litre. Canada's drinking water guidelines state the maximum acceptable level is 0.005 milligrams per litre. The department said following the confirmation tests in April, it has been working with the office of the chief public officer "to interpret the results, determine appropriate next steps, and plan for additional sampling to fully understand the extent of the issue." CBC has asked the department to expand on why it waited nearly two months after results were confirmed to turn off the water and inform parents. Both schools are now undergoing "system-wide" testing, said Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland in a statement Wednesday night, and a third-party review will be done of the situation. In that statement, Cleveland said she is "deeply concerned" about the lead levels, which she said she first found out about Monday evening. "I take this situation extremely seriously," she stated. While she did not commit to making the review itself public, she said she would report publicly on what is learned through that review and how the department will respond. "While I won't pre-judge the outcome of that review, I want to be clear: this situation is unacceptable. Parents deserve peace of mind, and students and staff deserve safe learning environments. I will do everything necessary to help restore that trust," she wrote. The territory's chief public health officer was not made available for an interview. In an email, the Department of Health and Social Services also refused interviews, stating Cleveland's department was "taking the lead" on responses to media. The education department did not make someone available for an interview Tuesday or Wednesday. Cleveland was not made available for an interview Wednesday. In an emailed response to questions from CBC, the department said nearly all the territory's schools have either had or are having testing being done, with the exception of Įtłʼǫ̀ School in Yellowknife, Chief Albert Wright School in Tulit'a and Chief T'Selehye School in Fort Good Hope. Those three schools are not being tested because they are newer buildings and construction standards changed before they were built.
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
High levels of lead detected in water at 2 Yellowknife schools
Levels of lead that are higher than the maximum acceptable concentration have been detected in the drinking water at École William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School in Yellowknife. Notices sent from the school board to parents and staff on Monday said lead levels in École William McDonald's drinking water were detected at 0.00903 milligrams per litre and 0.025 milligrams per litre at Range Lake school. Canada's drinking water guidelines state the maximum acceptable level is 0.005 milligrams per litre. As a precaution, all sources of drinking and cooking water at the schools will be unavailable, the notices from Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) said. Bottled water and bulk water dispensers will be provided for students and staff. The notices said the water at the schools is safe for hand washing and cleaning. In April, N.W.T.-wide testing took place for lead in school drinking water. A sample taken from the water fountain by the elevator on the first floor of William McDonald found the lead level at 0.00903 milligrams. A sample at Range Lake from the water fountain on the main floor near the staff room showed lead levels of 0.025 milligrams. The single samples are not conclusive, the notices said. More testing needs to be completed to rule out sampling errors. The school board said the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is working with the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer to do so. The notices said the city regularly tests for lead in drinking water and that treated water from the City of Yellowknife is safe to drink. "Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures," it said. The school board said it is working to identify potential sources of exposure. "Exposure to high levels of lead over time can cause adverse health effects such as reduced cognition, increased blood pressure and renal dysfunction in adults, as well as adverse neurodevelopmental and behavioural effects in children," the notice said. More water samples will be taken in the coming weeks, including all water fountains and cold water taps where water is used for drinking and food preparation.
