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NOTE: This article is now archived.
Lead levels in drinking water
May 19, 2021
Interested or want to know more?
Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) is implementing the new lower maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for lead of 0.005 mg/L (5 µg/L) as published by Health Canada under its Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality in March of 2019.
-Alberta will adopt and begin to implement the new MAC for lead as a drinking water quality limit for AEP regulated waterworks. Starting January 1, 2020, waterworks systems with Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval and Registration authorizations will have five (5) years to develop and implement a required lead management program.
-The Town of Pincher Creek will be undertaking a testing plan following the timeline outlined in this Alberta Environment and Parks document: Click here.
-In routine water analysis carried out by an external lab, the Town of Pincher Creek’s lead levels were undetectable, however, this does not mean that some older houses may have lead services or fixtures.
-For more information, please see the following video from the American Water works Association: Click here.
-More in-depth information can be found in this document from the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association: Click here.
2021 UPDATE
In the Month of May, the Town will be notifying a preselected number of residences requesting their participation in a Tap Water Lead Monitoring Program. Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) has implemented a new lower maximum acceptable concentration for lead in drinking water, as published by Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian
Drinking Water Quality in March of 2019.
Starting January 1, 2020, waterworks systems with Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval and Registration authorizations will have five (5) years to develop and implement a required lead management program. The Town of Pincher Creek will be undertaking a testing plan following the timeline by Alberta Environment and Parks.
It is important to understand that the water provided by the Town of Pincher Creek meets and can exceed all provincial and federal health guidelines. Lead is not naturally found in the source water from Pincher Creek and Castle River. In fact, in routine water analysis carried out by an external lab, the Town of Pincher Creeks lead levels were undetectable, however some older homes may have lead service connects. Prior to 1950 lead was commonly used for water service piping, including water service connections, and this kind of pipe can impact water quality. Lead may also have been used in residential fixtures and internal plumbing.
A letter requesting participation will be sent to a broad spectrum of homes in the community. If you do not receive a letter my May 31, 2021 and would like to participate in the lead monitoring program, or if you have questions about the program, please phone the town or fill out a citizen request online.
