Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig Elementary School will be closed Monday due to a “do not consume” water advisory on Walpole Island, following a spill in the St. Clair River.
Bkejwanong Children’s Centre will remain open with additional safety measures in place to protect staff and children, according to a notice issued by Walpole Island First Nation.
The advisory, which affects the local water supply, has raised concerns within the community.
“Walpole Island had conversations with the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) and have determined that the spill has been contained and cleaned upstream of the St-Clair River and there is no concern for communities downstream of the spill site,” Walpole Island officials say, adding they issued the “do not consume” order only as a precaution as they run addition testing.
The Walpole Island Water Plant closed its water intake as a precaution to prevent the possibility of water contamination, but was set to open the intake at 11 p.m. on Friday.
Officials said the health and well-being of children, families, and staff remain the top priority.
The school is expected to reopen Tuesday, April 1, with further updates provided if conditions change.
For questions or feedback, parents and guardians are encouraged to contact Tawny Allison at tawny.allison@wifn.org.
