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 extensive water testing during the water treatment process monitors colour, taste and smell but the most important tests we do are to ensure the water we deliver is safe for you and your family to drink.

There are no measurable levels of lead in drinking water when it leaves our water treatment plants. But lead may be found in tap water for those homes with lead service line pipes or if it's present in lead plumbing and fixtures inside your home.

About 1.6% of Edmonton homes have lead pipes, but if you do have lead pipes in your home, we have resources that can help you figure out what to do.

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 colour and hardness of the pipe.

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 (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. If you believe you have a lead service line, contact our Lead Ma​nagement Program Representative at (780) 412-6858.

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.

​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 colour and hardness of the pipe.

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 (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 colour and hardness of the pipe.

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 (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.