Drinking water orders lifted at more N.W.T. schools after lead testing
N.W.T. health officials said Tuesday that advisories related to elevated lead levels in drinking water had been lifted at five schools, and a residential facility in the territory. (CBC)
The N.W.T.’s chief public health officer has lifted health orders at several schools, saying remediation work has been done to address elevated lead levels in some water sources.
On Tuesday, the territory said work to fix fountains and sinks at Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Elementary School, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Regional High School, and Fort Simpson Student Residences in Fort Simpson, Mackenzie Mountain School in Norman Wells, Echo Dene School in Fort Liard, and Mezi School in Whatı̀ had been finished.
Testing shows lead levels in those water fixtures are within Health Canada guidelines, officials say.
Last fall, the territory said it would test drinking water in every school in the N.W.T. Since testing began, taps or fountains in more than 30 facilities were found to have elevated levels of lead in the water.
Those fixtures were taken out of service until remediation work could be done.
On Tuesday, the territory said in a news release that work to mitigate fixtures was still underway at some facilities, and would continue as supplies are delivered in the coming months.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: High levels of lead detected in water at 2 Yellowknife schools, CBC News
