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Fort McPherson School's Water Unsafe: Lead Fears Grow
17 Apr
Summary
- Lead levels in some classrooms exceeded Health Canada limits by over 37 times.
- Half of the school's water fixtures were found unsafe for consumption.
- A new initiative is testing drinking water at all N.W.T. schools.
Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., is facing a serious water contamination issue. Recent testing confirmed dangerously elevated lead levels in the school's drinking water, with some classrooms showing concentrations over 37 times Health Canada's maximum acceptable concentration. Approximately half of the school's water fixtures have been deemed unfit for consumption, and one also tested high for copper contamination.
In response, the territory's chief public health officer has ordered that affected fixtures be taken out of service, with alternative drinking water sources to be provided. This situation is part of a broader initiative launched in October to test water quality at all schools across the Northwest Territories.
So far, over half a dozen schools have been identified with high lead levels. This initiative was spurred by earlier testing in 2025 that revealed similar lead contamination issues at three Yellowknife schools. The government has committed to funding corrective measures to ensure safe drinking water in all educational facilities.
