National

High Lead Levels In Water At 4 Prince Rupert Schools Prompt Advisory To Parents

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Feb, 2016 11:51 AM

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. — Elevated levels of lead have been found in tap water at four schools in Prince Rupert, B.C.

School district officials in the northwest coast city have alerted parents after tests of drinking water showed lead concentrations above Health Canada guidelines.

Exact levels haven't been released, but the district has traced the source to lead pipes at Conrad Elementary, Pineridge Elementary, Ecole Roosevelt Park Community School and Prince Rupert Middle School.

The district is installing water fountains with special filters and says the pipes will be flushed daily before school because lead levels climb when water stands in the pipes overnight.

Lead can affect growth and development in children, but the district notes students don't regularly drink a lot of water at school so significant harm is unlikely.

Several schools in Kitimat reported a similar problem in 2012, and New Democrat Jennifer Rice says lead levels should be checked at all older schools in the northwest, central coast and Haida Gwaii.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Government-Assisted Syrians To Dominate Arrivals By End Of February

A plan rolled out last fall had the Liberals aiming to bring 10,000 Syrians to Canada through private sponsorship and a further 15,000 under government assistance by the end of February.

Government-Assisted Syrians To Dominate Arrivals By End Of February

B.C. Ranchers Protect 4,500 Hectares Of Land From Development: Conservancy

INVERMERE, B.C. — A southeastern British Columbia ranch 11 times the size of Stanley Parks has been protected from development by its owners.

B.C. Ranchers Protect 4,500 Hectares Of Land From Development: Conservancy

Feds Seek More Cities To Take Syrian Refugees But Will Only Pay Until Next Year

OTTAWA — More cities could see Syrian refugees sent their way but federal funds to help support them will only last until March 2017.

Feds Seek More Cities To Take Syrian Refugees But Will Only Pay Until Next Year

Hottest Average Global Temperature Ever Recorded Didn't Apply To Canada In 2015

Call it cold comfort, but Atlantic Canada was one of the only regions on the planet that had cooler-than-average temperatures last year, according to Environment Canada.

Hottest Average Global Temperature Ever Recorded Didn't Apply To Canada In 2015

Alberta Federation Of Labour Says Requiring Doctor's Note A Waste Of Time

EDMONTON — The Alberta Federation of Labour is calling on the provincial government to do away with the longstanding practice of employers asking employees for a doctor's note to verify absences.