Supply ‘safe’ drinking water at schools now, Yukon NDP tells Liberals

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Yukon Schools Water Safety Report

Introduction

The Yukon NDP has called upon the governing Yukon Liberal Party to ensure the provision of safe drinking water in all Yukon schools, emphasizing the urgency of addressing lead contamination. This report highlights the current situation, actions taken, and the alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Current Situation

Parents have been advised to send drinking water with their children to school. Principals are instructed to flush lead-contaminated water from fountains and faucets every morning before students arrive.

Actions Taken by the Government

• The Department of Education is advising principals to flush water fountains every morning.
• Bottled water will be provided if necessary, and some schools have requested students bring water from home.
• Deactivation of all drinking fixtures that do not meet national guidelines is nearly complete.
• An external contractor has been hired to test the drinking water in every school, with testing expected to be completed by mid-summer.
• Water test results will be posted online, and fixtures that do not meet standards will be remediated before the next school year.

Historical Context

In 2018, the Yukon government began checking for lead in water in older schools built before 1990. In 2019, Health Canada introduced stricter rules for lead in water, reducing the limit from 0.020 to 0.005 milligrams per litre. Recent reviews found that at least one water source in almost every Yukon school does not meet the revised federal guidelines.

Future Steps

1. Re-test water fixtures in affected schools to ensure they meet new guidelines.
2. Complete any necessary repairs before the next school year starts.
3. Ensure all schools have sources of safe drinking water.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The actions taken align with several SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Ensuring access to safe drinking water is crucial for the health and well-being of students and staff.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Addressing lead contamination directly contributes to providing clean water and sanitation for all.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Safe drinking water in schools supports a conducive learning environment, essential for quality education.

Community Concerns

The Selkirk Elementary School Council has reported that 28 fountains and faucets exceed current lead-level standards, demanding urgent action. Jack Hulland Elementary School has recommended that students bring water from home due to lead levels in drinking water fountains.

Health Implications

According to Dr. Sudit Ranade, there is no short-term risk to health associated with water fixtures with lead levels slightly above national standards. However, Health Canada advises keeping lead concentrations in drinking water as low as reasonably achievable.

Conclusion

The Yukon NDP is urging immediate action from the governing party to provide safe drinking water for all Yukon schools. Ensuring access to safe drinking water aligns with multiple SDGs and is essential for the health and well-being of students and staff.

Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com

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SDG Analysis of the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 4: Quality Education
  • Target 4.A: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
  • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Indicator 3.9.2: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation, and lack of hygiene (exposure to unsafe WASH services).
• SDG 4: Quality Education
  • Indicator 4.A.1: Proportion of schools with access to basic drinking water, single-sex basic sanitation facilities, and basic handwashing facilities (as per the WASH indicator definitions).
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
  • Indicator 6.3.1: Proportion of wastewater safely treated.

4. Findings from Analyzing the Article

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Fuente: yukon-news.com

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