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Protecting the health and safety of residents and staff is our top priority.
Following precautionary testing of drinking water at select City facilities, we want to share the results, actions we are taking, and next steps to ensure all locations remain safe.
Testing identified elevated lead levels in specific drinking water locations only, which may be linked to older internal plumbing components. The City’s municipal water supply remains safe, is tested regularly, and continues to meet all territorial and federal drinking water requirements.
Why the City Tested
While there are no regulatory requirements for lead testing in City facilities, the health and safety of residents and staff are our top priorities. Following reports of elevated lead levels in local schools, the City took a precautionary approach by testing water outlets in select facilities. This allows us to quickly identify any concerns and take action.
Select facilities were chosen based on building age and level of public use. City staff collected water samples between December 22–30, 2025, in accordance with standard sampling procedures. Samples were sent to an accredited laboratory for independent analysis.
Results of the Testing
Testing identified elevated lead levels in water at some facilities, while other locations showed no exceedances:
- Fieldhouse – no exceedances
- Multiplex – no exceedances
- YK Arena – 2 downstairs washrooms, lobby water fountain, and canteen sink
- Curling Club – bar sink only
- City Garage – kitchen sink
- City Hall – 2nd floor kitchen and 2nd floor water fountain
What the City is Doing
The City is taking immediate steps to protect residents and staff:
- Affected water locations have been taken out of service.
- Signage is in place to advise staff and visitors which ones are out of service.
- Alternative drinking water is provided at all impacted locations.
- The City is working with external experts to:
- Review all test results
- Expand testing to all other City facilities (complete list found in the FAQ section)
- Assess infrastructure to identify potential lead sources
- Explore remediation possibilities, including short- and long-term solutions
What Residents and Staff Can Do
- Municipal water is safe to drink, but you may choose to:
- Use alternative drinking water provided in facilities
- Bring a prefilled water bottle
- Water in faucets can continue to be used for washing hands, dishes, and other non-drinking purposes as usual.
- seek additional information on lead and health here: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/environmental-contaminants/lead-and-your-health
Ongoing Updates
- The City will share updates as testing and remediation continue.
- Residents and staff can check this page for the latest information.
Questions and Contacts
- For City Facilities Initial Testing related details, you may email communications@yellowknife.ca
- For health questions, contact your health care provider or call 811.
- For information on municipal drinking water in the NWT, visit MACA’s drinking water page.
- For workplace safety questions related to staff in schools, visit the Worker’s Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC)
Frequently Asked Questions
| Why did the City test its drinking water stations? |
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Protecting the health and safety of staff and residents is the City’s top priority. Following reports of elevated lead levels in local schools, the City tested drinking water at select facilities during the week of December 22, 2025. These locations were selected based on building age and usage. Testing ensures the water outlets are safe and allows the City to address any issues. |
| Why weren’t all facilities tested initially? |
| The initial testing focused on a select set of facilities, chosen based on building age and frequency of use. This allowed the City to prioritize locations where water outlets are most commonly used or where older infrastructure may pose a higher risk. Based on these results, the City is now expanding testing to all other City facilities to ensure every location in in compliance. |
| Will the City test all other facilities? |
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Yes. The City is working with external experts to review the test results, expand water testing to all other City facilities, assess infrastructure to identify potential lead sources, and explore appropriate short- and long-term remediation options. |
| Is the City’s water system safe? |
| Yes. The City’s municipal water system is safe to drink and meets all territorial and federal standards. Elevated lead levels are limited to specific water outlets in certain facilities and do not affect the water being supplied. |
| What does this mean for staff and the public? |
| Some water outlets in select City facilities tested above acceptable lead levels, but the municipal water supply itself is safe to drink. Alternative drinking water is available in affected locations. The City is removing affected outlets from service, expanding testing to all facilities, and working with external experts to identify and address any potential issues. Staff and visitors can continue to use water safely, and the City remains committed to protecting everyone’s health and safety. |
| With lead found in schools and now in City facilities, should parents and staff be worried? |
| The City’s drinking water is safe. Some individual water fountains and taps in certain facilities had higher lead levels, but this does not affect the water supply itself. Affected outlets have been taken out of service and alternative drinking water is available. |
| If I have been drinking from an affected location, will this affect my health? |
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The City understands that this may be concerning. The elevated lead levels identified were limited to specific locations and do not affect the municipal water supply overall. Health impacts of lead depend on factors such as exposure level and duration. For health-related questions or concerns, residents and staff are encouraged to consult trusted public health information provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories. For more information about lead and health, please visit: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/environmental-contaminants/lead-and-your-health or Health Canada: Water Talk - https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/sc-hc/H144-34-2016-eng.pdf The City is taking affected locations out of service, providing alternatives, and continuing testing to mitigate potential risks and protect health and safety. |
| Is the drinking water at home safe? How can we check? |
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The lead testing covered only water stations in select City facilities. The City’s water supply to homes meets all required safety standards. If property owners want extra reassurance, they can have their home water tested at their own expense. Information about how to do this is available from the Government of the Northwest Territories website. |
| What causes lead in drinking water? |
| Lead in drinking water is usually the result of leaching from the distribution and plumbing components. Where the water supply system's distribution system is not found to be a contributing factor, a building's plumbing network is usually the source of lead in drinking water. The National Plumbing Code of Canada banned the use of lead pipes in 1975, and leaded solder and brass in drinking water systems in 1986. In 2012, CSA B125.1 "standard for plumbing supply fittings" was revised for the requirement of "lead-free" components from 8% down to 0.25% lead as a weighted average with respect to the wetted surface of pipes, fittings and fixtures. |
| Will Trucked Water be included in the additional testing? |
| Yes. As part of the expanded testing program, the City is including trucked water sources. This will help confirm that water delivered through all systems continues to meet safety standards and provide additional reassurance to staff and residents. |
| What is the cost of all this? |
| At this stage, the full cost is not yet known. Initial testing costs are approximately $500 per location, and additional costs will be incurred as testing expands and external experts are engaged.
As testing continues and the scope of work becomes clearer, the City will have a better understanding of overall costs, including any potential remediation. The City is committed to transparency and will share cost information publicly as it becomes available. All testing results, next steps, and any remediation plans will be communicated openly as the work progresses. |