Province to Test School Water in Sir John A Vicinity.

EDUCATION--CXN--Province to Test School Water in Sir John A. Vicinity

The Department of Education is taking extra precautions to ensure that drinking water is safe for students and staff in schools surrounding Sir John A. Macdonald High School in Hubley. Education Minister Jane Purves announced today, May 29, that 13 schools from St. Margaret's Bay to Herring Cove will be tested for naturally occurring radionuclides.

"We take the health and safety of students very seriously," said Ms. Purves. "While we have no reason to believe there are problems at other schools, testing the water is a responsible and precautionary step. We don't take chances where children are concerned."

Tests will begin immediately in the following schools: Brookside Junior High, Tantallon Junior High, Tantallon Elementary, Terrence Bay Elementary, Atlantic Memorial Elementary, East St. Margaret's Bay Elementary, St. Margaret's Bay Elementary, Harrietsfield Elementary, Sambro Elementary, William King Elementary, Herring Cove Junior High, Prospect Road Elementary, and Hammonds Plains Elementary.

The province's medical officer of health for the region, Dr. Robert Strang, said there is no public health risk associated with continuing to drink water with the levels of lead-210 found in the preliminary sample at Sir John A. Macdonald High School.

"The preliminary result indicates only that further investigation is necessary," he said. "It does not tell us that the water at Sir John A. is unsafe to drink. With regard to water at surrounding schools and homes, there is no public health risk for people continuing to drink water from these sources during the period of investigation."

This decision follows a preliminary test result at Sir John A. that indicated levels of lead-210 were higher than Health Canada's guidelines for drinking water. The Department of Education will continue to work with health and environment officials to do further testing on the water at the school.

Sir John A. Macdonald students have been attending classes at Charles P. Allen High School after the Halifax Regional School Board closed the school on Feb. 26.