CKRW File Photo: Yukon Department of Education
Whitehorse, YT – The Yukon Government says work to address elevated lead levels in school drinking water is now complete.
Testing in late 2024 found at least one fixture above Health Canada’s maximum allowable concentration for lead in 24 schools and associated buildings. The territorial government says in a statement that since then, taps have been replaced and levels retested.
The Department of Education was also directed by the Yukon Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board in June to add extra safeguards. Permanent signs now steer students and staff away from higher-risk sinks in washrooms, science rooms and some classrooms.
“The new signs are part of a long-term, precautionary approach to keep lead exposure as low as reasonably achievable,” reads the statement.
Testing last year came after two students at Del Van Gorder School in Faro first discovered unsafe lead levels during a science fair project in 2023.
Officials stress that students and staff are not being exposed to harmful levels of level and that regular monitoring will continue.
