INNISFAIL - The Chinook’s Edge School Division administration will be sending a letter to two provincial government departments asking for more information about what to do regarding the issue of possible lead in drinking water in schools.
During its recent board meeting, trustees were given an update report from the associate superintendent of corporate services on school water systems in the district.
Following the report, trustees passed a motion instructing administration to seek more information from the ministers of education and health “requesting clear direction related to the testing of water in schools.”
The report was made in response to a recent national study and report that found high levels of lead in drinking water in many schools, town and cities across Canada.
Kurt Sacher is the superintendent of Chinook’s Edge.
“We are sending a letter to ask for more clarity,” said Sacher.
During an appearance in Carstairs on Nov. 13, Education Minister Adreanna LaGrange was asked for an update on the water issue.
“I know that the minister of health and myself have sent a joint letter out to school boards to just remind them that there is the opportunity to go through our departments to have the water tested or retested if they feel that they need it,” said LaGrange.
“And certainly it is the minster of health who is dealing with this particular issue, so once that is done and we understand the magnitude of the problem, then we will certainly look at what needs to be done.”
Asked if she has been made aware of any lead in the water problems in any of Chinook’s Edge’s 40 schools, she said “No, nothing at this time.”
