Lead forces schools to switch to bottled water ...

… and North River Elementary is the only exception to this rule

TRURO, N.S. – All but one Colchester County school is handing out bottled water to returning students this January.

The decision was made due to concerns over the potential of lead contamination from pipes supplying water to schools in many of the older buildings throughout the province.

The 20 affected Colchester County Schools are among more than 300 public schools across Nova Scotia to be provided with drinking water, until lead testing in all schools can be completed.

“North River Elementary was tested in October 2019, and results indicate the majority of the fountains and taps are within acceptable levels,” said Jennifer Rodgers, communications manager for the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education in an email on Jan. 2. “Any fixtures at the school with areas above acceptable levels have been taken out of service and have signage at the tap or fountain.”

The water, to be provided in 18-litre jugs for the rest of the school year, is expected to cost $1.7 million.

The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development made the announcement in December.

It was previously reported more than 100 schools in Halifax hadn’t tested for lead after Health Canada lowered the acceptable level for drinking water in March.

To date, only 86 out of 370 schools across the province have been tested for lead, according to the province.

Of the 86 schools tested for lead, 40 require drinking water. The remaining 284 have yet to be tested.

“Our goal is to complete the remainder of the school testing for lead and copper by the end of the 2019-20 school year,” said Rodgers regarding CCRCE’S schools.

CCRCE says it has notified both parents and staff of lead testing outcomes and any needed corrective action.

“The corrective measures will be dependent on the test results and assessed based on the school’s situation” said Rodgers. “For example, corrective measures could include replacement of fixtures or filtration. Alternate water will continue to be provided while corrective actions are explored.”