Lead Testing in JK-12 School Drinking Water

Last updated February 13, 2026

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Lead Testing in JK-12 School Drinking Water: Overview

Safe drinking water is essential for students and staff. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is testing school drinking water for lead using national best practices. If lead levels exceed Health Canada’s guideline of 5 micrograms per litre (5 µg/L), mitigation steps will be taken based on expert advice and national best practices.

All schools within the NWT are a part of the testing program. Testing is based on a priority approach determined by:

  • Age of students
  • Age of the school building
  • Existing water quality data (results from preliminary random sampling)
  • Regional coordination
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Schools Scheduled for Testing

This section will be updated as schools are scheduled for testing. 

Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Elementary School - Fort Simpson – February 17

Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Regional High School - Fort Simpson – February 18

Chief Julian Yendo School – Wrigley – February 19

Louie Norwegian School - Jean Marrie River – February 20

 

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School Drinking Water Testing Results

Pending Results

Moose Kerr School – Aklavik – Tested on February 10

Chief Paul Niditichie School – Tsiigehtchic – Tested on February 11

 

In alphabetical order by region.

Beaufort Delta

Angik School – Paulatuk 
Number of water fixtures tested: 15
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 0 (All levels of lead in both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing came back below the MAC).
Status of work: Complete, cleared by OCPHO October 29, 2025
Date of last test results: October 25, 2025 

Helen Kalvak School – Ulukhaktok
Number of water fixtures tested: 21
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 4
Status of work: In progress. Do Not Consume Order and flushing protocol in place.
Date of last test results: December 12, 2025

North Slave

Alexis Arrowmaker School – Wekweètì
Number of water fixtures tested: 5 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 1 
No Public Health Order in place for the single sink as this is not in use. Replacement of fixture or decommissioning of this sink to be finalized. 
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: November 19th, 2025

Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School – Behchokǫ̀
Number of water fixtures tested: 24
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 4 - Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on 3 fixtures and Flushing for the remaining fixture.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: January 31st, 2026

École St. Joseph School – Yellowknife
Number of water fixtures tested: 54 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 21 - Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on 15 fixtures and Flushing for the remaining fixtures.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: January 29, 2026

École William McDonald Middle School – Yellowknife
Number of water fixtures tested: 13
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 14 (reason for discrepancy: there was one fixture in the copy room that is used for preparing coffee that was missed from the testing. This was replaced along with the rest.)
Status of work: The Health Order has been lifted. The school fountains and fixtures are safe for use and drinking.
Date of last test results: November 8, 2025

Kaw Tay Whee School – Dettah
Number of water fixtures tested: 7
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 6 (While the water fountain is currently testing below MAC and considered safe, it will also be out as service as a precaution by the school maintenance and to allow for a full assessment of the entire system).
Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for all fixtures.
Status of work: In progress
Date of last test results: November 21st, 2025

Mildred Hall School – Yellowknife
Number of water fixtures tested: 26 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 6 
Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on the 6 fixtures
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: November 26th, 2025 

N.J. Macpherson School – Yellowknife 
Number of water fixtures tested: 23
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 23
Status of work: The Health Order has been lifted. The school fountains and fixtures are safe for use and drinking.
Date of last test results: January 22, 2026

Range Lake North School – Yellowknife
Number of water fixtures tested:12
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 32 (reason for discrepancy: All locations, including classroom sinks were replaced.)
Status of work: Complete
Date of last test results: September 10, 2025

Sahtu

Chief T’Selehye School – Fort Good Hope
Number of water fixtures tested: 26 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating:  9 - OCPHO recommends a flushing protocol. 
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: December 9th, 2025 

South Slave Region:

Chief Sunrise School – Kátł’odeeche First Nation 
Number of water fixtures tested:10
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 1 - Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on 1 fixture.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: December 17, 2025 

Deninu School – Fort Resolution 
Number of water fixtures tested: 15 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 5 - Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on 2 fixtures and Flushing for the remaining fixtures.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: December 17, 2025 

Diamond Jenness Secondary School – Hay River
Number of water fixtures tested: 36 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 3 - Public Health Order in place from OCPHO for Flushing on 3 fixtures.
Status of work: In progress
Date of last test results: December 19, 2025

Diamond Jenness Trade Centre – Hay River  
Number of water fixtures tested: 5 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 0 - None of the samples collected were above the MAC. No mitigation or remediation recommended.
Status of work: Complete
Date of last test results: December 18, 2025

École Boréale School & Portables – Hay River 
Number of water fixtures tested: 11 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 0 - None of the samples collected were above the MAC. No mitigation or remediation recommended.
Status of work: Complete
Date of last test results: December 17, 2025  

Harry Camsell School – Hay River 
Number of water fixtures tested: 25 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 10 - Public Health Order in place from OCPHO for Flushing on 8 and Do Not Consume on 2 locations.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: December 16, 2025

Joseph Burr Tyrell School – Fort Smith
Number of water fixtures tested: 20
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 3 - Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on 2 fixtures and Flushing for the remaining fixture.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: February 3, 2026

Princess Alexandra School – Hay River
Number of water fixtures tested: 24 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 9 - Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on 2 fixtures and Flushing for the remaining fixtures.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: December 18, 2025

P.W. Kaser High School – Fort Smith
Number of water fixtures tested: 25 
Number of water fixtures we’re removing, replacing or mitigating: 14 - Public Health Order from OCPHO in place for Do Not Consume on 8 fixtures and Flushing for the remaining fixtures.
Status of work: In progress 
Date of last test results: February 3, 2026

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How Testing Works

Water samples are collected from taps and fountains used for drinking and food preparation and sent to an accredited laboratory for testing. Sampling and testing protocols follow applicable national standards and best practices, and results are verified before posting. Read the Procedure for the Collection, Analysis and Testing of Lead in Drinking Water for Northwest Territories Schools for a more detailed explanation of how testing works. 

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If Lead is Found

If a result is above Health Canada’s guideline of 5 micrograms per litre (5 µg/L):

  • The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer is notified and will issue a public health order.
  • Schools will take protective steps to address the risk. These steps might include any of the following:
    • providing bottled water
    • placing “do not consume” signage at affected taps/fountains
    • following a daily flushing protocol
    • disabling affected taps/fountains
  • The GNWT will plan and complete necessary remediation actions.
  • Fixtures will be retested and only returned to use when results meet the guidelines.

Drinking water service will only resume when:

  • New safety measures are in place,
  • Follow-up testing confirms water is safe, and
  • The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer lifts the public health order.
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Signage – Do Not Consume or Do Not Drink

“Do not consume” or “do not drink” signage indicates that the water at the tap/fountain where the sign is placed has been tested and is above the guideline value. This is a precautionary measure that notifies users not to consume or drink the water.

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Flushing

Some water taps or fountains may need to be flushed to ensure consistent water quality. Letting the water run, or flushing, for several minutes before using it can move any sitting or stagnant water out of the system. This may be used as a short-term measure to maintain safe drinking water while working towards a long-term improvement, or may be implemented as a longer-term solution.

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Ongoing Monitoring

For schools that have installed new water filters, these filters will be regularly checked and replaced as needed throughout the school year, as per the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure continued safety.

Ongoing routine monitoring will occur at all schools periodically at intervals determined based on risk.

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Lead and Your Health

To learn more about lead and its health impacts, visit:

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Questions and Contacts

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