Lead in Drinking Water

Our drinking water is safe and clean

We take pride in providing safe and clean drinking water to Edmonton and surrounding areas. Our water quality lab tests for hundreds of parameters, which helps to assure safe, reliable and high-quality drinking water for our customers. 

There are no measurable levels of lead in drinking water when it leaves our water treatment plants. However, lead can leach into tap water in homes with lead service lines or from lead-containing plumbing fixtures.  ​

Our lead management initiatives

Since 2008, we have implemented several lead management initiatives to ensure our Edmonton customers with lead service lines on the public (utility) side have good water quality. The program has evolved over the years, and we continue to educate customers and provide advice on how to maintain high water quality for homes with a lead service line. ​​

Together, with the support of the City of Edmonton, our aligned lead mitigation strategy seeks to:  ​​

How to tell if you have a lead water service line in your home​

How to perform a scratch test for lead pipes

Examples of what your water service line may look like

    ​               

How to maintain good water quality when you have a lead service line

• Install a water filter or in-premise filtration system that is NSF-53 Certified for lead reduction. These can be found at most home improvement stores. If you're using a water filtration system, follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Properly condition new filters before their first use and replace used filter cartridges as required.
• Replace in-home lead or brass plumbing fixtures. If you have plumbing fixtures, such as faucets that contain lead or leaded brass, consider replacing them with lead-free fixtures.
• Don't use water from your hot taps for drinking, eating, cooking or baking. Only consume water from your cold taps, then heat it up if needed.
  
• Run your cold water tap for at least 3 minutes, or until it is cold, any time you haven't used the water for 6 or more hours if you are drinking or cooking with it. This flushing time can be reduced if combined with other water uses like flushing toilets, showering or running household appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine.
  
• Take note of construction in your area. Following these water quality tips is particularly important if construction is occurring near your property, as ground disturbance has the potential to disturb the water service line and temporarily increase lead levels in your tap water if you have a lead water service line.​
  

Water service line examples

Click on the links to view the images.

• A copper pipe emerging from basement floor before the water meter (also shown is the emergency water shut off valve). Here's another example.

• A stub of lead pipe emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve (not shown).

• A protected lead pipe emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve (water meter not pictured). Notice the compression fitting used to attach it to a copper fitting.

• A lead pipe, galvanized iron pipe and a copper pipe. The lead pipe is emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve. Notice the compression fitting used to attach the lead material to a threaded galvanized iron fitting. Even if going through this checklist doesn't indicate you have a lead service line, a small chance still exists that a section of lead piping is present underground. To inquire about your property or learn more about our program, please call our Lead Program Representative at (780) 412-6858.
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​Our drinking water is safe and clean

We take pride in providing safe and clean drinking water. Our extensive water testing during the water we deliver is safe for you and your family to drink.

There are no measurable levels of lead in drinking water that EPCOR supplies to the community. Lead is a naturally occurring metal. In the past it was used in many different ways, but we now know it can be a health concern. Since 1960, Health Canada has put forward many studies and reports showing the health effects of lead and has set a minimum acceptable concentration of lead in the home. We agree with Health Canada's report and are working to determine lead levels in drinking water within the community.

​Our drinking water is safe and clean

We take pride in providing safe and clean drinking water. Our extensive water testing during the water we deliver is safe for you and your family to drink.

There are no measurable levels of lead in drinking water that EPCOR supplies to the community. Lead is a naturally occurring metal. In the past it was used in many different ways, but we now know it can be a health concern. Since 1960, Health Canada has put forward many studies and reports showing the health effects of lead and has set a minimum acceptable concentration of lead in the home. We agree with Health Canada's report and are working to determine lead levels in drinking water within the community.

How to tell if you have lead water pipes

3-step testing process 

Step 1: find your emergency water shut-off valve

Once you find your emergency water shut-off valve or water meter in your home (usually in the basement), check the color and hardness of the pipe.

Step 2: check the pipe color

Check the color 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 color 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 (see video). 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. The only way to be sure if you have lead is to have your water tested from an accredited lab.

Water service line examples

Click on the links to view the images.

• A copper pipe emerging from basement floor before the water meter (also shown is the emergency water shut off valve). Here's another example.
• A stub of lead pipe emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve (not shown).
• A protected lead pipe emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve (water meter not pictured). Notice the compression fitting used to attach it to a copper fitting.
• A lead pipe, galvanized iron pipe and a copper pipe. The lead pipe is emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve. Notice the compression fitting used to attach the lead material to a threaded galvanized iron fitting. Even if going through this checklist doesn't indicate you have a lead service line, a small chance could still exist that a section of lead piping is present underground. The only way to be sure if you have lead is to have your water tested from an accredited lab.

How to tell if you have lead water pipes

3-step testing process 

Step 1: find your emergency water shut-off valve

Once you find your emergency water shut-off valve or water meter in your home (usually in the basement), check the color and hardness of the pipe.

Step 2: check the pipe color

Check the color 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 color 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 (see video). 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. The only way to be sure if you have lead is to have your water tested from an accredited lab.

Water service line examples

Click on the links to view the images.

• A copper pipe emerging from basement floor before the water meter (also shown is the emergency water shut off valve). Here's another example.
• A stub of lead pipe emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve (not shown).
• A protected lead pipe emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve (water meter not pictured). Notice the compression fitting used to attach it to a copper fitting.
• A lead pipe, galvanized iron pipe and a copper pipe. The lead pipe is emerging from basement floor before the emergency water shut off valve. Notice the compression fitting used to attach the lead material to a threaded galvanized iron fitting. Even if going through this checklist doesn't indicate you have a lead service line, a small chance could still exist that a section of lead piping is present underground. The only way to be sure if you have lead is to have your water tested from an accredited lab.

2. Replace in-home plumbing fixtures

If you have plumbing fixtures, such as faucets that contain lead or leaded-brass, consider replacing them with lead-free fixtures.

3. Replace your lead service line

If you have confirmed that you have a lead service line, replacing it will reduce lead in your drinking water. It'll also help improve water quality throughout your home in comparison to point-of-use filters, which only remove lead at the tap where they have been installed.