Water Quality

News stories about asbestos-cement (A-C) water pipes, and the possibility of asbestos fibres in their drinking water, have caused concerns for many. To help alleviate worry, here is the information you need to know about water quality and A-C pipe in Fort Saskatchewan:

Health Canada - Asbestos in drinking water

There's no consistent, convincing evidence that asbestos ingested through drinking water is harmful to your health. Read more on the Health Canada website.

Is my health at risk?

It is well-documented that adverse health effects from asbestos are associated primarily with inhalation of fibres, however, Health Canada and the World Health Organization have concluded that there is no consistent, convincing evidence that asbestos ingested through water is harmful to your health.

The City relies on Health Canada's Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and the City's approval to operate a waterworks system through Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to inform decisions relating to water safety and A-C pipes.

FAQs

Does Fort Saskatchewan have asbestos-cement (A-C) water pipes?

Yes, like most other communities in the region, Fort Saskatchewan has A-C pipes; this material was commonly used in the 1960s and 1970s.

Fort Saskatchewan also has water pipes made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cast-iron, steel, and steel reinforced concrete.

Does Fort Saskatchewan still install A-C pipes?

No. A-C pipe has not been installed in Fort Saskatchewan for more than 40 years and is no longer manufactured. PVC became a standard pipe material by the early 1980s.

Will remaining A-C pipes be removed?

There is no regulatory direction to remove A-C pipes from municipal water networks in Canada. The City replaces pipes annually on a lifecycle maintenance schedule to reduce the risk of pipe failure and degradation. A variety of factors determine the replacement priority.

The pH of water, which can be a contributing factor to corrosion of pipes, is carefully controlled through the treatment process. All water within the Edmonton region is supplied by EPCOR. The City of Fort Saskatchewan has tested the condition of some A-C pipes and found that good water quality and soil conditions have limited the degradation of the pipes, which remain in good condition.

Are workers safe when removing A-C pipe?

Yes. Though there are known risks with airborne asbestos, crews are trained to take all necessary precautions and use appropriate hazard controls to limit inhaling or releasing airborne asbestos fibres when cutting and working with A-C pipe.

Additional resources

Health Canada Infographic - Asbestos in Drinking Water

WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality - Asbestos in Drinking Water

News stories about lead in water may be concerning. To help alleviate worry, here is the information you need to know about water quality and lead service pipes in Fort Saskatchewan:

• Our water quality meets all standards for healthy drinking water, including the recently implemented, more restrictive standards for lead.

• We have never found, and have no records of, any lead pipes within our distribution system that supplies water to your home or businesses.

• Our water quality monitoring includes testing for lead as set out in the Code of Practice for a waterworks system. These tests are audited by Alberta Health and Alberta Environment.

• EPCOR supplies water to a very large area within the capital region and beyond. To address potential concerns and unknowns across their service area, EPCOR will be adding orthophosphate as part of their treatment process which will help prevent your drinking water from absorbing lead.

Steps for Homeowners

Residents who think their homes may have a lead service pipe can check by following these 3-steps:

Step 1: Find your water service inlet

The inlet pipe is where the water line comes into the building, usually in a basement utility room, sometimes hidden in a cabinet or under the stairs. Your water meter and shut-off are typically located here.

Step 2: Check the pipe colour

Check the colour of the pipe coming out of the ground and into the meter. You may have to lightly sand the surface of the pipe. If the pipe is:

• The colour of a Canadian penny: It's copper.
• Bright blue or black: It's likely plastic tubing (polyethylene). Important: Don't attempt to test the hardness of your pipe if you suspect it's plastic.
• Grey: It's galvanized iron or lead.

Step 3: Check the pipe hardness

If you think your water service line could be lead, try gently etching into the pipe. Lead is relatively soft metal and scratches easily. Do not attempt this if you think the line could be plastic.

While this checklist is a good indicator of whether your pipes are lead, please note that every pipe is a little different. A professional plumber can assist in determining if your internal plumbing contains lead.

*Information provided by EPCOR.

Additional information

EPCOR: Orthophosphate Drinking Water Treatment

Health Canada - Drinking Water: what about lead?