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March 31, 2022

Dear North Vancouver School District Community, 

Since 2016, the North Vancouver School District has been proactively testing drinking water consumption points for lead levels at all enrolling schools with analysis provided by ALS Laboratories. 

All schools have been tested in accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines and test results have been shared with Vancouver Coastal Health. I am pleased to advise that all test results for lead in water have shown full compliance with Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality at all enrolling schools. 

Lead can have adverse health effects; therefore, it is important to reduce lead levels in drinking water as much as possible. Vancouver Coastal Health has recommended mitigation strategies including daily flushing programs and plumbing system retrofits to reduce lead levels in the water. To ensure water quality is maintained in all schools, and as part of the procedures for custodial staff, the North Vancouver School District proactively performs daily flushing of consumption points. 

The North Vancouver School District continues to retrofit and renew our potable (i.e. drinkable) water systems to ensure ongoing access to lead-free drinking water across all schools. More recent examples of this work include the new Handsworth Secondary and Argyle Secondary Schools that are equipped with multiple bottle-fill stations throughout. Furthermore, Mountainside Secondary School has undergone a seismic retrofit, which includes the complete renewal of the potable water-piping system and the addition of multiple new bottle-fill stations.  

The North Vancouver School District is committed to ensuring our schools are safe places to teach and learn. We work closely with community partners, such as Vancouver Coastal Health, to maintain school safety.

With appreciation,

Sylvia Russell​​
Acting Superintendent of Schools