Eighteen schools in Hamilton and the surrounding area exceeded provincial safety standards for lead in drinking water in recent years — including one on the central Mountain that tested at more than seven times the limit.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School on Mohawk Road East had the highest locally recorded level in a single test, showing 70 parts per billion (ppb), according 2023-24 data, the latest published by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Four schools in Hamilton and 14 others across Halton, Brantford and Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties exceeded the provincial threshold of 10 ppb in one or more tests.

Dozens of local schools and daycares also exceeded the stricter Health Canada lead standard of five ppb, but that is a guideline rather

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