Lead testing 80 per cent complete at schools

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/06/2023 (1190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba government said Wednesday more than 80 per cent of public schools in the province have completed tests for the presence of lead in their drinking water.

According to a media release, 79 per cent of public schools that have completed their testing either did not discover elevated levels of lead in drinking water or have already mitigated the issues.

To complete testing and mitigation efforts, the province said it has established a $1.6-million grant program to cover costs.

Schools that haven’t been tested yet are expected to have the process completed by the end of summer. A similar program was reported to be underway at independent schools and child-care centres.

Facilities that meet the national guideline for lead in drinking water will be recognized with a “certified lead tested” sticker.

A list was published online showing the progress of lead testing at each school in each school division in Manitoba.

The following list shows what Westman schools were listed as having elevated lead levels and whether the issue has been dealt with yet, separated by school division.

If a school is not on the list, it means elevated lead levels were not detected.

• Beautiful Plains School Division: Carberry Collegiate, Hazel M. Kellington School, J.M. Young School, Neepawa Area Collegiate and Neepawa Middle School all have in-progress mitigation for elevated lead levels.

Testing is still in progress at R.J. Waugh Elementary. Testing has not yet been started at Rolling Acres School, Spruce Woods School, Willerton School, Acadia Colony School, Fairway Colony School, Riverbend Colony School and Twilight Colony School.

• Brandon School Division: Betty Gibson School has mitigation in progress. Testing has not yet begun at Spring Valley Colony School.

• Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine: Mitigation has been completed at École La Source.

• Fort la Bosse School Division: No schools with elevated lead levels, though testing has not yet started at Boundary Lane Colony School or Plainview Colony School.

• Park West School Division: Birtle Collegiate, Birtle Elementary and Hamiota Collegiate have all had lead mitigation completed. Testing has not yet started at Decker Colony School and Monarch Colony School.

• Pine Creek School Division: Austin Elementary, Gladstone Elementary, Langruth Elementary, MacGregor Collegiate, Langruth Collegiate, MacGregor Elementary, Plumas Elementary and William Morton Collegiate all have in-progress mitigation for elevated lead levels. Testing has not yet begun at Forest Home School, Hidden Valley School, Muller School, West Plains School, Cascade Colony School and Emerald Colony School.

• Prairie Spirit School Division: Mitigation is complete at Cartwright School, Glenboro School and Thomas Greenway Middle Years School. Testing has not yet started at Evergreen Colony School, Fairholme Colony School, Harmony Colony School, Kamsley Colony School, New Rosedale School, Sandy Bank School, Shady Lane School, Shamrock School, Valleyview School, West Valley School, Whistling Wind School, Windy Bay School and Willow Creek Colony School.

• Rolling River School Division: Elevated lead levels have been detected at Douglas Elementary, Rapid City School and Tanner’s Crossing School but mitigation has not yet started. Mitigation is completed at Cool Spring Colony School.

• Southwest Horizon School Division: Mitigation has been completed at Deloraine School, Hartney School, Melita School, Pierson School, Souris School, Wawanesa School, Green Acres Colony School and Maple Grove Colony School.

Elevated lead levels have been found at Newdale Colony School but mitigation has not started yet.

• Turtle Mountain School Division: Mitigation has been completed at Boissevain School, Mayfair Colony School and Minto School. Elevated lead levels have been found at Killarney School, but mitigation has not started yet.

» The Brandon Sun