Revised - Students at Jack Hulland Elementary School should bring their drinking water from home, parents and guardians have been advised.

Meanwhile, members of the Selkirk Elementary School Council have expressed concerns to Education Minister Jeanie McLean about lead levels in their school’s water (see story below).

The move at Jack Hulland has been prompted from recent water testing results at the Porter Creek school, and lead levels found in drinking fountain water.

“We wanted to inform you about the recent water testing results and the steps we are taking to address the lead concentration issue in our school fountains,” principal Jeff Hills wrote to parents and guardians in an email Thursday morning.

“In 2018 and 2019, the Government of Yukon embarked on an extensive water testing initiative across all Yukon schools,” noted Hill’s email, obtained by the Star.

“After this work was completed, the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines changed, and currently, all our water fountains do not meet the updated safety guidelines for lead concentrations.”

After conversations with superintendent Trevor Ratcliff, and Deanna White, the health and safety management co-ordinator, Hill writes, “I have learned that if the fountains are flushed each morning for five minutes, the water will be safe to consume.

“For now, we have turned off the water on three fountains in the primary wing, and flushed, and will continue to flush the remaining primary and intermediate fountains/bottle fillers each morning, as well as the kitchen and staff room taps.

“Until we have more clarity, we recommend that students bring water from home regularly,” the principal advises parents.

“If necessary, continued testing and remediation will occur soon.

“I understand your potential anxieties about this issue and will continue communicating with you as I gain more information.”

Lead levels in school water fountains have been in the news in recent weeks after students conducted water tests at Del Van Gorder School in Faro.

The students’ science project analyses found higher-than-anticipated lead levels in some of their school’s fountains.

The affected water fountains were immediately deactivated and bottled water supplied to students and staff.

The primary sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures.

Pipes used to take water from the source could harbour lead.

Additionally, plumbing fixtures, welding solder and pipe fittings manufactured before 1986 may also be sources of lead.

The Yukon government said May 1 it’s committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff in all 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,” the government said at the time.

To address concerns, 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 guide-lines,” the government said.

“Any fountains/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, the department added, “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 (last) week, any drinking fixtures identified with lead levels that do not meet the federal guidelines are being de-activated. The Department of Education will ensure all schools have continued access to safe drinking water.”