An independent audit is to be conducted into a mental-health hospital in northwestern Saskatchewan following water tests that showed higher than normal levels of copper and lead, says a government official. Mike Carr, deputy minister of central services, says the province learned Oct. 17 that there were some questions about water quality at the Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford. Water testing at the mental-health facility “showed irregularities and inconsistency in the results that indicate levels of copper or lead may be higher than desirable levels,” Carr said Friday. “It’s been preliminary testing,” he added. “We felt, out of an abundance of caution, we should take steps to ensure that all users of that facility have access to good drinking water.”