A new report from the Canadian Environmental Law Association is raising concerns about lead levels in drinking water at some Ontario schools, including those within the Grand Erie District School Board.
The report ranks school boards based on the number of water tests exceeding both Ontario’s current limit of 10 parts per billion and Health Canada’s stricter guideline of five parts per billion.
Grand Erie ranked fifth overall, with 23 samples exceeding the provincial standard and 45 exceeding the federal guideline during the 2024–25 school year.
Major Ballachey Public School was highlighted with eight samples above 10 ppb and 13 above five ppb.
CELA says no level of lead exposure is considered safe, particularly for children, and is calling on Ontario to adopt stricter standards and improve transparency around water testing.
The group argues that the province’s current regulations, first introduced in 2007, are outdated and do not reflect newer research on the risks of lead exposure.
CELA maintains that stronger action is needed, noting that Ontario is one of only two provinces that have not adopted Health Canada’s lower threshold. The organization is also calling for improved data collection and communication to better protect students.