November 8, 2019
Dear North Vancouver School District Community:
Subject: Water testing results
Since 2016, the North Vancouver School District has been proactively testing drinking water at all enrolling schools with analysis provided by ALS Laboratories. All schools have been tested several times over the past three years. Vancouver Coastal Health has also conducted its own water quality testing in our schools. I am pleased to advise that all of the test results have showed full compliance with Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality at all enrolling schools.
Recently, several school districts across Canada have reported higher than acceptable lead levels in drinking water. Lead can have adverse health effects; thus, it is important to reduce lead exposure as much as possible. Over the years, Vancouver Coastal Health has recommended that schools flush their taps daily to reduce lead levels in the water. For decades, the North Vancouver School District has, as a precaution, included flushing as part of the procedures for custodial staff.
While the North Vancouver School District has not had active concerns with the drinking water in our schools, we have recently taken an extra precaution to ensure the water remains safe into the future. Over the past 12 months, the North Vancouver School District has been working on a project to provide lead free drinking sources in all elementary schools that were built prior to 1990.The project scope has included the addition of new combination water fountain and bottle-fill stations with new lead-free dedicated supply piping. This work has also included the removal and decommissioning of older generation water fountains.
The North Vancouver School District is committed to ensuring our schools are safe places to learn. We work closely with community partners, such as Vancouver Coastal Health, to maintain school safety.
Sincerely,
Mark Pearmain
Superintendent
North Vancouver School District
