Parents in Ottawa are calling for urgent government intervention following the discovery of dangerously high lead levels in the drinking water at three schools within the city.

Lead Levels Exceed Standards

A report by the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) revealed that the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) had the highest number of water tests exceeding both provincial and federal standards. The findings have sparked significant concern among parents regarding the potential health risks to their children.

Affected Schools Identified

Fallingbrook Community Elementary School, Orleans Wood Elementary School, and Manor Park Public School were specifically identified in the CELA report as having lead levels that surpassed acceptable limits. At Fallingbrook, parents Garrett Hansen and Barbara Daniela Gandolfo expressed their worries.

Barbara Daniela Gandolfo, whose son has attended Fallingbrook for five years, stated, “It is every parent’s worst nightmare to discover their child may have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead.” She has advised her son to avoid drinking from school fountains and intends to have him tested for lead accumulation.

Garrett Hansen, whose daughter is in kindergarten, emphasized the challenge of explaining the situation to young children, particularly as the contaminated tap was located in the kindergarten area.

Health Concerns and Regulations

Health authorities, including the World Health Organization, warn that even low levels of lead exposure can negatively impact a child’s development. Ontario’s current maximum allowable lead level is 10 parts per billion (ppb), while the federal guideline is stricter at 5 ppb.

The CELA report indicated that Fallingbrook had nine tests exceeding 5 ppb and eight exceeding 10 ppb. The OCDSB recorded 156 tests exceeding 5 ppb and 104 exceeding 10 ppb, the highest numbers among all school boards in the province.

OCDSB Response and Ongoing Testing

Diane Pernari, an OCDSB spokesperson, stated that the board routinely tests fixtures annually and removes any failing fixtures from service until they are repaired or replaced. She also noted that testing has sometimes occurred during the summer months when water consumption is lower, potentially contributing to higher failure rates.

The OCDSB plans to conduct testing during the school year to better align results with other districts. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks requires facilities to flush plumbing daily or weekly based on recent test results.

However, parents argue that these measures are insufficient and are advocating for a comprehensive overhaul to guarantee student safety.