The high school has tested close to the provincial standard for lead in the water.
The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School’s Principal Chris Boulay sent out a letter to the parents of the student body, informing them that a test found the drinking water was close to or higher than the provincial standard of 10 micrograms per litre of water.
Boulay spoke to My Haliburton now.com and he reassures parents there is no reason for alarm. He explains that the water is tested bi-weekly and it is routinely flushed to reduce the lead levels. Boulay insisted that if there was a reason for concern it would be addressed as soon as possible.
Catherine Shedden, a communications officer with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, says that the water is tested by taking two samples, one from the standing water supply and the second is taken after the building’s water has been flushed. Shedden tells My Haliburton Now.com the Ontario Government suggests reducing the amount of lead in the water by flushing the school’s plumbing system daily.
Shedden says the schools combat high levels of lead by working with the local health unit to choose the best course of action. She explains this could include putting water fountains out of service as soon as the levels of lead exceed 10 micrograms, increasing the total system flushing as needed, and further resampling.
The letter can be seen by clicking here.