The Government of Yukon has implemented a long-term drinking water monitoring program in all youth-occupied facilities. Learn about the program and see the test results.
We test the water quality in youth-occupied facilities under the Yukon Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program. This program is a long-term plan to:
- monitor lead levels in drinking water; and
- repair fixtures if elevated level of lead are found.
This program, which has been reviewed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Environmental Health Services, applies to all youth-occupied facilities, not just schools. These facilities include:
- schools;
- facilities that run education programs;
- youth residences; and
- early learning and childcare centres in government-owned buildings.
We’ll hold an annual meeting to review the results from each year and to make sure the monitoring program remains on track. The meeting will include officials from:
- Environmental Health Services;
- Highways and Public Works;
- Education; and
- the Chief Medical Office.
How often we test
We test one-third of youth-occupied facilities each year. Every facility is part of a 3-year testing cycle.
What happens if a fixture shows elevated lead in the water?
If a fixture has elevated levels of lead, it will be:
- taken out of service immediately; and
- scheduled for repairs.
We only return the fixture to use after new testing shows the water meets the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.
If a fixture is out of service for repairs, we provide other water sources so youth always have access to safe drinking water.
We will provide ongoing updates during repairs or mitigations to keep building occupants informed.
Safe places to get drinking water
In any Yukon facility, the best place to get drinking water is from:
- water fountains;
- food prep sinks; and
- water bottle filling stations.
In schools, you can also get drinking water from sinks in home-economics rooms or kitchens.
Testing shows these fixtures meet the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. You can talk to your child or their teacher about their access to a water bottle filling station or water fountain.
Impacts on health
According to the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, occasionally drinking water from fixtures with slightly elevated lead levels is not a significant health risk.
Youth drink water from many sources. Occasionally drinking water with elevated lead levels is not enough to significantly impact their health or development.
Testing results
Schools
We tested the drinking water in Yukon schools:
- between August and December 2024; and
- in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
After testing in 2024, we repaired or replaced any fixtures that did not meet the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. These fixtures were tested again in 2025 to make sure they met the guidelines.
You can find detailed results for:
Other youth-occupied facilities
We tested the water in other youth-occupied facilities in fall 2024.
All fixtures met the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines.
View the water testing results
How we test drinking water
We used two established methods to collect samples:
- Random Day-Time (RDT) method
- Investigative method
From 2018 to 2020, we used the investigative method when testing for lead in school drinking water.
In 2024, we used the:
- RDT method if a water fixture was tested between 2018 and 2020; or
- Investigative method for fixtures not previously tested.
Random Day-Time method
We randomly collected samples during the school day without flushing the fixture beforehand, and without stagnant water in the plumbing.
From October to December 2024, we collected two 125 ml samples from every drinking water fixture. Samples were tested for lead and the results were averaged.
Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Burnaby, British Columbia, tested these samples.
Investigative method
This method helps identify if the lead is coming from a fixture or the plumbing system.
Steps for this method include:
- Flushing the fixture.
- Letting water sit stagnant in the plumbing system for 16 to 24 hours to allow for the largest amount of lead leaching.
- Taking a 250 ml standing sample from the fixture.
- Taking a second 250 ml sample after a 30 second flush.
If the results from the first sample show elevated levels of lead, the second sample is analyzed to find the source.
Caro Analytical Services in Richmond, British Columbia, tested these samples.
Schools that meet drinking water guidelines
All the drinking water fixtures meet the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines at:
- Chief Zzeh Gittlit School
- Christ the King Elementary School
- CSSC Mercier
- Dámbü Tän Kets’ádań Kų̀ – Cliff Trail Elementary School
- Del Van Gorder School
- École Émilie Tremblay
- École Whitehorse Elementary School
- Elijah Smith Elementary School
- Eliza Van Bibber School
- F.H. Collins Secondary School
- Ghùch Tlâ Community School
- Golden Horn Elementary School
- Grey Mountain Primary School
- Hidden Valley Elementary School
- Holy Family Elementary School
- Individual Learning Centre
- J.V. Clark School
- Jack Hulland Elementary School
- Johnson Elementary School
- Khàtìnas.àxh School
- Kluane Lake School
- Nelnah Bessie John School
- Porter Creek Secondary School
- Robert Service School
- Ross River School
- Selkirk Elementary School
- St. Elias Community School
- St. Francis Catholic Secondary School
- Takhini Elementary School
- Tantalus School
- Watson Lake Secondary School
- Wood Street Centre
Schools with fixtures that need repairs
There are no Yukon schools with drinking water fixtures that need repairs.
Other youth-occupied facilities
All drinking water fixtures meet the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines at:
- Teen Parent Centre
- Gadzoosdaa Student Residence
- Children’s Receiving Home (Girls)
- Children’s Receiving Home (Boys)
- Klondike Group Home
- Liard Group Home
- Young Offenders Facility
- Wann Road Youth Residence
- Nakwaye Ku Daycare (Yukon University)
- Bubbles Daycare (Del Van Gorder School)
- Tu Lidlini Daycare (Ross River Community Centre)