Drinking water safety update for Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson and the Community Learning Centre in Ndılǫ

Press Release

April 16, 2026

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson and the Community Learning Centre in Ndılǫ. Testing has confirmed that some water fixtures in Chief Julius School show lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Water results at the Ndılǫ CLC facility were below Health Canada guidelines and no action is required. As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order for Chief Julius School.

Effective immediately, affected water fixtures and water fountains at Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson will be out of service, and an alternative drinking water source will be provided, where it is not already in place.

The GNWT is taking the following steps to address the issue:

Identify and implement remediation measures for the affected water fixtures, such as replacing fixtures or installing filters. More detailed information on remediation measures will be added to this webpage as it is confirmed.
Once all corrective measures are completed, follow-up testing will be carried out and reported to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer for health risk assessment.
Use of affected fixtures will only resume once new safety systems are in place, testing confirms the water meets all health standards, and approval is provided by the OCPHO.

Water testing for the Community Learning Centre (CLC) in Ndılǫ has confirmed that all water fixtures show lead levels below the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

No remediation or mitigation measures are required, and the Community Learning Centre in Ndılǫ can use sinks and water fountains normally.

Water testing at Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson and the Community Learning Centre in Ndılǫ is part of the GNWT’s commitment to test drinking water in every school in the territory. A priority-based protocol guides the order in which schools are tested, based on factors such as facility age, previous water quality information, and the age of students. While the protocol determines sequencing, the commitment remains the same: all schools will be tested using a science-based approach that reflects Health Canada’s guidance and the conditions of the North.

Although not yet in use by students, the Community Learning Centre in Ndılǫ was included in testing because it has been approved for JK-12 education programming by the Ndılǫ DEA.

When GNWT staff are already scheduled to travel to a community, and testing can be incorporated, the GNWT may proceed at that time, even if the school was not identified among the highest priorities.

The GNWT will support an Education Body that chooses to safely provide alternate drinking water as a precaution while testing and remediation continue. The GNWT will reimburse reasonable, cost-effective expenses so that no school hesitates to act out of concern for budget impacts.

The GNWT remains committed to ensuring safe drinking water in all schools and will continue monitoring systems, conducting regular testing, and sharing updates as the territory-wide testing program progresses.