| #Q001 | operational | operational | mandatory | Compliance with Health Canada Guidance | drinking water | Work shall be conducted in accordance with the following: - Health Canada's Guidance on Sampling and Mitigation Measures for Controlling Lead Corrosion [1] | | high |
| #Q002 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Sampling Plan Preparation | drinking water | Individualized sampling plans for each school shall be prepared prior to site work, for review by ECE and HSS. The sampling plan shall cover the mechanical system pre-evaluation (inventory list of fixtures to be sampled, the location of fixtures, sampling/flushing sequence), sampling procedure at each school (Tier 1 and Tier 2), identify roles, onsite supply list, day of sampling guide, templates for recording results, identify the laboratory to be used for testing and supporting drawings. | Prior to site work | high |
| #Q003 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Sampling Notification | drinking water | Prior to sampling, it is recommended that anticipated dates of sampling be sent to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer at cpho@gov.nt.ca. | Prior to sampling | high |
| #Q004 | operational | operational | mandatory | Review of Drawings | drinking water | Gather and review as-built drawings to identify fixtures to be tested and their location. On-site confirmation of quantity and location of fixtures may be required. | | high |
| #Q005 | operational | operational | mandatory | Flushing and Sampling Sequence | drinking water | Based on the DW distribution, develop the proper order for flushing and sampling of the selected fixtures that minimizes the downstream flow to ensure that the downstream fixtures are provided with the correct stagnation time. The order should be set out, so the fixture closest to the entrance of the service line is sampled first, followed by the next closest fixture and ending with the fixtures that are furthest away. | | high |
| #Q006 | operational | operational | mandatory | Flushing Time Calculation | drinking water | Calculate the volume of water in the DW distribution that serves the selected fixtures to be sampled/tested. From the volume, determine the time required to completely flush the system of stagnant water. | | high |
| #Q007 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sampling from Water Holding Tank Systems | drinking water | If the design of the distribution system includes a domestic water tank and the only means of sampling is to access from the top and reaching into the tank, a sample representing the 'water main' should be collected from the fixture that is closest to the water holding tank. | If the only means of sampling the domestic water tank is to access from the top and reach into the tank | high |
| #Q008 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Stakeholder Communication Memo | drinking water | A communication memo will be sent out by ECE prior to any sampling to inform and educate stakeholders. | Prior to any sampling | high |
| #Q009 | operational | operational | mandatory | Post-Sampling Cleanliness | other | Once the sampling work is complete, the building shall be left in an organized and orderly condition. | Once sampling work is complete | high |
| #Q010 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Laboratory Advance Notification | drinking water | Taiga Lab should be notified in advance to ensure sample processing is done in time and reported as soon as possible. | | high |
| #Q011 | operational | operational | mandatory | Full System Flushing Procedure | drinking water | The full system flushing protocol is as follows: 1. Open hose bibb and fixtures that are to be sampled. 2. Once all fixtures are opened, let the water run and wait 5 minutes (or as determined in the mechanical pre-evaluation) to allow for adequate flushing. 3. For a system pre-flush, shut off each fixture. For a full system flush during sampling, shut off each fixture as you collect baseline samples. | | high |
| #Q012 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Tier 1 First Draw Sample | drinking water | First Draw Sample - Collect one sample (see Collecting the Sample/Bottle Filling Procedure) from each of the identified fixtures in the order determined in the mechanical preevaluation prior to any flushing. Analyze for lead and copper. | Prior to any flushing | high |
| #Q013 | operational | operational | mandatory | Tier 1 Full System Flush | drinking water | Full system flush - The DW distribution system is to be flushed by opening all fixtures in the order determined in the mechanical pre-evaluation for the prescribed time as outlined in the Flushing Procedure above. | During Tier 1 Sampling Protocol | high |
| #Q014 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Tier 1 Water Main Sample Collection | drinking water | Water Main Sample & QA/QC - Collect one parent sample and one duplicate sample that is representative of the water main by taking a sample from the fixture closest to the main service line or fixture closest to the domestic water tank following the system flush. Do not sample directly from inside the domestic water tank. This sample will be tested for lead, copper, and general chemistry. | Following the system flush | high |
| #Q015 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Tier 1 Flush Baseline Testing | drinking water | Flush Baseline Testing - Collect one sample from each fixture (except furthest from the main). Analyze for lead and copper to create a baseline profile. | Close fixtures as you collect these samples | high |
| #Q016 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Tier 1 General Chemistry Sample | drinking water | General Chemistry Sample & QA/QC - Collect one parent sample and one duplicate sample from the fixture furthest from the water main following the system flush. This sample will be tested for lead, copper, and general chemistry. | Following the system flush | high |
| #Q017 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Tier 2 Sampling Protocol | drinking water | 1. 30 Minute Stagnation - Allow the DW distribution system to rest undisturbed for 30 minutes. 2. Tier 2 Testing - Collect two samples (Collecting the Sample/Bottle Filling Procedure) from each of the identified fixtures in the order determined in the mechanical pre-evaluation ensuring that there has been a 30-minute rest for each fixture. Analyze for lead and copper. | When used in combination with Tier 1 sampling to determine the source of lead and copper | high |
| #Q018 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Field Blank Sample | drinking water | Field Blank - One field blank sample shall be collected using deionized water and analyzed for the same parameters as the water main sample, this can be sampled at any time. | | high |
| #Q019 | prohibition | operational | mandatory | Aerator Removal Prohibition | drinking water | To ensure sampling is representative of real use conditions, existing aerators and filters are not to be removed prior to sampling. | | high |
| #Q020 | operational | operational | mandatory | Building Occupation Simulation | drinking water | The building is to be considered occupied for the duration of the site investigation work. If unoccupied, the DW distribution system should be operated prior to the sampling to simulate occupation to ensure that the distribution system has a stagnation period between 8 and 24 hours and no longer. | If the building is unoccupied | high |
| #Q021 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sample Label Verification | drinking water | Confirm sample ID on bottle matches checklist. Read sample ID out loud. | | high |
| #Q022 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | General Chemistry Sample Bottle Rinsing | drinking water | For general chemistry samples only: a) Rinse the bottle with a minimal amount of water that will be sampled. Cap and shake the bottle to rinse. Repeat two more times for a total of three times (including the inside of the cap). | For general chemistry samples only | high |
| #Q023 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Bottle Filling Procedure | drinking water | After rinsing (if required), fill the sample bottle to the shoulder. | | high |
| #Q024 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Preservative Addition | drinking water | For bottles including metals analysis, if the lab has provided preservative, add the vial of provided preservative before capping. | If the lab has provided preservative for metals analysis | high |
| #Q025 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sample Storage Procedure | drinking water | Store in a cooler with ice packs, keep refrigerated until delivered to the lab. | | high |
| #Q026 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Observation Documentation | drinking water | Document any inconsistencies, concerns, or observations that may be relevant. | | high |
| #Q027 | operational | operational | mandatory | Sampling Personnel Qualifications | drinking water | Sampling will be conducted by personnel with lead water testing training from MACA. | | high |
| #Q028 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sample Flow Rate | drinking water | All samples should be collected at a typical medium-to-high flow rate, without removing the aerator from the outlet. | | high |
| #Q029 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Sample Labeling | drinking water | Samples shall be identified by a unique label ID which will be recorded along with the time and date the sample has been taken. It is important to label samples based on the corresponding unique sample location ID. | | high |
| #Q030 | operational | operational | mandatory | Handheld Equipment Calibration | drinking water | Any handheld equipment used will be calibrated according to the manufacturer's specifications. | | high |
| #Q031 | operational | operational | mandatory | Personal Protective Equipment | drinking water | Nitrile gloves are to be worn during sample collection. | | high |
| #Q032 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sample Preservation | drinking water | Samples shall be collected and preserved in accordance with laboratory requirements. | | high |
| #Q033 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Laboratory Submission Reporting Format | drinking water | Electronic copies of laboratory results shall be submitted in .pdf and .xls format for GNWT review and comment. | | high |
| #Q034 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Final School Report | drinking water | A final report with sampling methodology, lab results, and mitigation recommendations will be completed for each school. | | high |
| #Q035 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | QA/QC Sample Collection | drinking water | QA/QC samples will be collected as described in the sampling protocols. | | high |
| #Q036 | monitoring | health | mandatory | Lead MAC Comparison | drinking water | Water sample results are to be compared to the MAC of lead. | | high |
| #Q037 | corrective_action | operational | guidance | Mitigation Actions Implementation | drinking water | If results exceed the MAC, the following mitigation actions can be implemented: 1. Notify the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer that 1 or more exceedance(s) were reported by the lab. Notification and test results to be forwarded to cpho@gov.nt.ca. 2. Notify and educate stakeholders. 3. Implement interim corrective measures to reduce exposure to lead such as: a) Removing outlet from service b) Cleaning outlet screen or aerator followed by additional testing c) Creating a flushing program d) Installing certified drinking water treatment device(s) to remove lead from drinking water e) Providing alternative potable water supply 4. Compare Tier 1 and Tier 2 sampling results to determine if the source of lead is from the fitting, fixture, or internal plumbing components. Further sampling from the internal plumbing can be completed to further assist with determining the source of lead. 5. Implemented remediation measures such as: a) Create a routine flushing program b) Installing certified drinking water treatment device(s) to remove lead from drinking water c) Replace outlets, fountains, or internal plumbing components d) Provide alternative potable water supply | If results exceed the MAC | high |
| #Q038 | monitoring | health | mandatory | Post-Remediation Confirmation Sampling | drinking water | Once remediation measures have been put in place, sample fixtures again following the sampling protocol to confirm lead levels are below the MAC. | Once remediation measures have been put in place | high |
| #Q039 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Infrastructure, Design and Technical Services Division Roles | drinking water | Infrastructure, Design and Technical Services Division: 1. Establish lead sampling protocol 2. Develop lead sampling plan 3. Provide technical support 4. Provide recommendations for mitigation actions 5. Grant access to building during non-operational hours | | high |
| #Q040 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Education, Culture and Employment Roles | drinking water | Education, Culture and Employment: 1. Approve sampling protocol 2. Approve sampling plan 3. Approve/fund mitigation measures 4. Grant access to building during non-operational hours 5. Communicate results to stakeholders | | high |
| #Q041 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Health and Social Services Roles | drinking water | Health and Social Services, Environmental Health Unit: 1. Provide public health expertise 2. Verify sampling protocol alignment with public health best practices Office of the Chief Public Health Officer: 1. Responsible for issuing final approval of sampling plan 2. Review and approve proposed mitigation measures 3. Responsible for taking protective public health actions including issuing Public Health Orders | | high |
| #Q042 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Municipal and Community Affairs Roles | drinking water | Municipal and Community Affairs: 1. Responsible for assisting with sample collection and training personnel | | high |
| #Q043 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Prioritization Matrix Development | drinking water | A review of all previous drinking water lead testing conducted to date will be used to create a list of schools in order of testing prioritization. | Prior to testing | high |
| #Q044 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Mandatory Fixture Sampling Scope | drinking water | Fixtures to be sampled include but are not limited to the following: a) Drinking water fountains, b) Water bottle refill stations, c) Kitchen sinks, d) Classroom sinks, e) Food lab sinks, f) Teacher lounge sinks, g) Nurse's office sinks, h) Sinks used for Early Learning and Child Care programming including afterschool programming. i) Fixture closest to the entrance of the service line, and j) Any other sink or outlet known to be used for consumption. | | high |
| #Q045 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | On-site Parameter Measurement | drinking water | Measurements of pH and temperature will be taken on-site for identified samples from a handheld meter. | During sample collection | high |
| #Q046 | operational | operational | mandatory | Data Precision Assessment (RPD) | drinking water | The precision of data will be assessed using the duplicate samples and is quantified as the relative precent difference (RPD). Acceptable RPD is less than or equal to 40% [2]. | | high |
| #Q047 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Prioritization Matrix Criteria | drinking water | The prioritization matrix consideration includes but is not limited to facility age, number of children, logistic challenges, age of children, and other relevant public health and mechanical factors. | During creation of the prioritization matrix | high |
| #Q048 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sample Container Volumes | drinking water | Lead & Copper Sample Bottle: 300mL. General Chemistry Sample Bottle: 500mL. | During sample collection | high |
| #Q049 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Laboratory Selection and Accreditation | drinking water | Samples will be submitted to Taiga Environmental Laboratory in Yellowknife, which is accredited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA). | | high |
| #Q050 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Laboratory Reporting Distribution List | drinking water | The following email address(es) will be used for lab reporting: - MACA: macaws@gov.nt.ca - ECE: christopher_mcmillan@gov.nt.ca - INF: Distributed internally to designated staff. Email addresses for distribution list may be updated to reflect current personnel. | | high |
| #Q051 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | General Chemistry Parameter Definition | drinking water | General Chemistry: pH, chloride, sulfate, total alkalinity, calcium, magnesium. | | high |