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 (ECE) 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.

Yellowknife Education District No. 1 notified parents and staff about high levels of lead in the school's water on Tuesday.

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.

Bob Morgan, whose twin grandchildren go to William McDonald, said he was a "little concerned" when he found out about the lead levels.

"Lead's sort of a forever chemical. It's not good. Even small amounts aren't good. It's an older school, you know, where is the lead coming from? And who's checking it?"

Regarding the timeline to notify families, Morgan said these things take time.

"It has to go through the government and all the agencies. But I think it should've been a little quicker; these are young students we're talking about. And lead can stay with them for the rest of their lives."

Morgan said he hopes it's dealt with quickly and they figure out where the lead is coming from.

No interviews from officials

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 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.

The department said it initially decided to test for lead after "increased public attention to the issue," and particularly media coverage of testing in the Yukon being delayed.

Water testing was 'prudent': NWTTA

Rita Mueller, president of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association (NWTTA), said they didn't receive any formal communications from the school board or the education department but heard about the lead levels through the media. She said she believes teachers also just found out about the results earlier this week.

She said only one staff member from one of the impacted schools has reached out to the NWTTA asking what they should be doing.

If staff members are experiencing any health and safety concerns that they feel are related to lead exposure, Mueller said, the NWTTA is advising them to speak to their principal and a health-care provider, document any issues and consider contacting the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission.

Mueller said she's pleased a third-party review will take place.

"I think timing is really crucial here for the well-being of everybody, students and staff at the school so that they, you know, everybody is aware of really what's going on," she said.

"What the potential impact is, if there is any. What kind of longer-term solutions there are, if there is in fact, you know, levels that are of real concern and have potential health consequences."

When asked about the timing of the school board notifying staff and families, Mueller said she doesn't have enough information yet to comment. 

She praised the department for carrying out the water tests, saying it's not unusual for regular building maintenance and testing on various aspects of school infrastructure.

"I think it's really prudent that they're looking at things like this. And, you know, hopefully they will continue to do that, and continue to look at all aspects of health and safety for our staff and students."