The Government of Yukon is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff in Yukon schools. Following a new review of the 2018–19 test results of water fixtures, it has been determined that 30 schools require further testing and possible remediation due to updates to the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
To address this, the Department of Education is implementing a thorough water testing and remediation plan. Over the next two to three months, re-testing will be conducted in all affected schools to ensure compliance with the updated guidelines. Any fixtures found not to meet the new standards will be remediated, with the aim to complete all necessary work before the next school year begins. This timeline ensures minimal disruption and maintains our commitment to the ongoing safety of our school environments.
Parents and guardians have been informed of this work. Starting this week, any drinking fixtures identified with lead levels that do not meet the federal guidelines are being deactivated. The Department of Education will ensure all schools have continued access to safe drinking water.
As always, the health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We are working with our partners to ensure that all Yukon schools have access to drinking water that meets the safety standards set by Health Canada. I’d like to commend the students at Del Van Gorder School for their initiative and scientific curiosity. Their testing of their school's water was not only a learning opportunity but also a critical reminder of the importance of ongoing vigilance in water safety.
Minister of Education Jeanie McLean
I’d like to assure all Yukon families that there is no short-term risk to health associated with water fixtures tested with lead levels slightly above the national standards. These standards are based on exposure to lead over a lifetime. Considering that children drink water from many sources, consuming water from these specific fixtures would not be enough to significantly affect their health or development.
Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade
The water testing and remediation plan was reviewed and approved by the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Environmental Health unit.
The elevated lead levels at Del Van Gorder School in Faro were noted by two students at the school, who tested the water as part of a science fair project.
In 2018, as part of a proactive health and safety initiative, the Government of Yukon tested water fixtures in all schools built before 1990, which may contain plumbing materials utilizing lead. This testing, which extended in 2019 to all remaining schools, adhered to the standards at that time, and all fixtures with lead levels that exceeded the federal guidelines were replaced. Health Canada has revised the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, lowering the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for lead from 0.020 mg/L to 0.005 mg/L. Under these updated standards, the Government of Yukon re-evaluated 2018–19 test results. This review identified that additional testing and remediation may be required to meet the new, more stringent criteria.
The primary sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures. Pipes used to transport water from the source could harbour lead. Additionally, plumbing fixtures, welding solder and pipe fittings manufactured before 1986 may also be sources of lead.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca
Michael Edwards
Communications, Education
867-471-0902
michael.edwards@yukon.ca