Water Quality

We run our water system under an “Approval to Operate,” as issued by Alberta Environment. As part of that Approval, the Water Treatment Plant operators conduct over 48 tests on any given day. These may be on the lake (or raw) water and/or on the treated drinking water. As well, the province requires us to have our water tested at least twice per year by a provincially-approved lab.

Every month we take at least one bacteriological sample per 1,000 people (or 18 samples per month) from a variety of locations within Camrose. The Provincial Health Lab analyzes the samples and then submit reports to the Local Health Authority and the City of Camrose.

The results from all water quality testing is public information. We submit these results daily to Alberta Environment. You can get the water quality testing data from Public Works by calling 780.672.5513. This information is also on Alberta Environment's Camrose Waterworks System monitoring website.

Lead is a naturally occurring element that is found in small amounts on the earth’s outer layer. Lead has a high resistance to corrosion and is very malleable, for this reason it has historically been used for lead service pipes. This is because during times of war, copper wasn’t a common material for plumbing and therefore, lead was used.

Lead service lines (LSLs) are water service pipes made out of lead that connect the City’s watermain to your home. Since 1960, LSLs haven’t been a common material used for pipes but were prohibited in 1975 by the National Plumbing Code. In 1986, the National Plumbing Code then prohibited the use of lead plumbing materials such as lead solder and brass fittings.

The water leaving the City’s water treatment plant are typically 0.0001 mg/L or less. This is 50 times lower than Health Canada’s new maximum acceptance concentration for lead. Camrose meets or exceeds all of the federal and provincial standards.

The City of Camrose does not have any lead pipes within the City’s water main distribution system. However, lead may still be introduced through household plumbing material if they are lead pipes, lead solder, or brass fittings.

Pregnant women and children under the age of six are more vulnerable to lead. Pregnant woman who have been exposed to lead can expose their baby to lead during pregnancy or through breast feeding. Young children who are exposed to lead can cause adverse effects on neurological development and behavior. It is recommended that pregnant women and young children have no exposure to lead and reduction can be found below.

In adults, prolonged lead exposure can cause increased blood pressure or result in kidney problems. Exposure to lead is only a concern if contaminants are ingested; bathing or showering are not significant sources of lead exposure.

The City is responsible for the service connection pipes from the water main to the property line. The remaining pipe on the property owner’s property, from the property line to the customer’s tap, is the property owner’s responsibility. Lead service pipes and lead plumbing materials such as lead solder and brass fittings were used within homes that were built before 1960.

The City has identified potential lead service lines (LSL), and has checked piping to confirm LSL locations.  In 2021, the City conducted random water testing throughout the City, as required by the Province, to determine the extent to which lead at a homeowner’s tap might exist. Following testing, there was another update/review of the draft Lead Management Plan with City Council.  Once City Council adopts the Lead Management Plan, the City will start implementation of the plan.

Currently, City Council is developing a policy related to management of lead within Camrose. This policy will address removing LSLs and mitigating lead concentration levels within Camrose. One option in consideration is for the City to provide high-lead properties with no cost water filters. As this plan is finalized, it will be shared with the public along with additional information regarding options available for residents. 

There are a few measures that you can take if you’re concerned about lead levels within your drinking water.

1. Run water before consuming. If water hasn’t been used for several hours, flush your pipes by flushing the toilet, washing your hands, or letting the water run for a few minutes before drinking or cooking with the water from the tap. This ensures stagnant water is flushed out and fresh water is drawn directly from the municipal water distribution system. 
2. Use cold water. For drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula use cold water, then heat it if needed. Hot water is more likely to leach metals from the pipes.
3. Use a Point-of-Use (POU) Device. Using a NSF-053 certified POU device will filter out the lead in the drinking water. Ensure that maintenance directions (changing of the filters) are followed to provide the most effective removal. 

• Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
• Alberta Environment and Park Guidance Document for Managing Lead in Municipal Drinking Water Systems in Alberta
• Alberta Health Services Lead FAQs