The health and safety of students, staff and visitors in Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) buildings is a top priority.
Since 2007, the Ontario government, under Regulation 243/07, has required that school boards flush the plumbing in schools; sample and test drinking water; maintain logs; and report drinking water test results to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.
Effective July 1, 2017, amendments to the regulation required samples to be collected and tested for lead content at every drinking water fountain and every tap that is used in the preparation of food or drink, or to provide drinking water for consumption by children under 18 years of age. School Boards are required to implement these regulation requirements by 2020 in elementary schools and 2022 in secondary schools.
The LKDSB has established plans and protocols to complete the flushing and testing, in keeping with the Ministry's timelines. Depending on the test results, the school's waterlines are flushed either weekly or daily when the school or daycare are open, in accordance with the regulation.
Prior to July 2017, the regulation required school boards to sample and test water for lead annually at only one location in the building.
In the event that levels of lead exceed Ministry guidelines in a water sample, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and local public health officials must be notified and the LKDSB follows the direction of the Medical Officers of Health for corrective action and resolution. Where appropriate, signage is posted and communication provided to students and staff regarding any drinking water fixture taken out-of-service until the issue is resolved. Corrective actions could include re-sampling and increasing frequency of flushing; installing a lead reducing filter; replacing a fixture; or permanently rendering a fixture unusable.
Fixtures not used for drinking water, such as bathroom taps and hand sinks in classrooms, are not required to be tested. In elementary schools, these fixtures are posted with signage indicating that the water is not to be consumed and is for "Handwashing Only." Signage is also posted to identify drinking water sources. In secondary schools the signage identifying drinking water sources is posted.
Drinking Water Testing Results
Below is a summary of the LKDSB's facilities which have test results indicating that a drinking water fixture(s) has exceeded the maximum allowable concentration for lead (10ug/L), as outlined in the Ministry's Regulation, as well as the corrective action by the LKDSB, as directed by the Medical Officer of Health. Complete water testing reports are available for viewing at each school.
2022-2023 School Year Confederation Central Public School
| Tap no longer being used for consumption. Flush all drinking fixtures daily.
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Dawn-Euphemia
| Drinking fountain no longer needed. Has been removed.
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Errol Road Public School
| Drinking fountain removed. Flush all drinking fixtures daily.
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King George VI, Sarnia
| Tap replaced and sampled.
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Lakeroad
| Drinking fountain removed.
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The LKDSB worked with local public health officials on corrective actions for these locations. In some cases, additional flushing or re-sampling was required. Health and safety of students, staff and visitors is a priority and the LKDSB works with Public Health officials and staff follow all Ministry regulations and LKDSB protocols to mitigate risk.
Please note, these results are not indicative of water safety within the entire school facility. Rather, specific fixtures within the school have demonstrated test results which exceed the maximum allowable concentration for lead, as outlined in the Ministry's Regulation. Where appropriate, signage is posted and communication is provided to students and staff regarding any drinking water fixture taken out-of-service until the issue is resolved. Corrective actions could include re-sampling and increasing frequency of flushing; installing a lead reducing filter; replacing a fixture; or permanently rendering a fixture unusable.
Complete water testing reports are available for viewing at the school. If you have any questions related to the flushing, sampling, or testing, please contact your principal.
Drinking Water and Lead Fact Sheet
