Lead Management

Drinking water chemistry changes are coming in Dec. 2023. To reduce lead, EPCOR will add orthophosphate to its treated water. EPCOR is Leduc's water provider, so this includes our community's water supply. 

The water will remain safe for use and drinking when the change is implemented. Some commercial customers that use the water for certain industrial processes may need to consider slight adjustments. Learn more.

> Leduc's lead management program
> Leduc's drinking water
> Orthophosphate - 2023 changes to Leduc's water chemistry
> Orthophosphate - FAQs
> Lead in drinking water
> Questions

Leduc's Lead Management Program

Our Lead Management program is in place to support the continued health and safety of residents, and to ensure compliance with Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. 

The City of Leduc – along with all Canadian municipalities – is mandated by Health Canada to adhere to strict lead limits in municipal drinking water.

The Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) is 5 parts per billion (PPB). Compliance must be met from the system’s point of distribution to the customer’s tap.

In 2021, the provincial government required a system assessment of drinking water to be completed in all municipalities, including Leduc. 72 water samples were collected from randomly selected properties. The samples demonstrated compliance with Health Canada's guidelines, and no lead service lines were identified. 

Residents with questions about the sampling program or their water are encouraged to call Public Services at 780-980-7133.

Leduc’s drinking water

Leduc’s drinking water is safe and clean, and is supplied by EPCOR.

The likelihood of lead service lines existing in our city is extremely low. The majority of neighbourhoods in Leduc were built post-1960, by which time lead was generally no longer used in service lines (nor was lead used in all service lines before 1960). Today, the preferred material for water service lines is copper or plastic.

You can check your water service line by using EPCOR’s 3-Step Testing Process. If you would like to test your water using a home sampling kit, we encourage you to view EPCOR's list of accredited labs.

Orthophosphate - 2023 changes to Leduc's water chemistry

EPCOR is committed to providing safe, reliable drinking water to customers. EPCOR will add orthophosphate to its treated water in Dec. 2023 to protect customers from lead in drinking water and water pipe corrosion. While there isn't lead in the water when it leaves the treatment plant, lead can get into the drinking water through lead pipes and other household plumbing fixtures.

EPCOR is Leduc's water provider, so this includes our community's water supply. 

Orthophosphate is odorless, tasteless, and safe. Phosphate is naturally found in foods like bread, cheese, fruits, and nuts. It's also a common additive in beverages. 

Residential Customers: can continue to use the water as normal; no action is necessary. The water will remain safe for use and drinking when the change is implemented. 

Commercial Customers: that use the water for manufacturing, food processing, petrochemical production, or commercial cooling and heating, may need to make slight adjustments to their processes. Learn more at epcor.com/ortho

Lead in drinking water

Lead is a neurotoxin that can leach from plumbing fixtures into the tap water supply, and has been linked to a variety of health risks. More details can be found in Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Sometimes, household plumbing fixtures or pipes can contain lead. This was particularly common in older construction materials. When water sits in contact with lead material for an extended period of time (e.g. overnight), the lead can leach into and accumulate in the water.

Lead may be present in:

  • Water service lines (unlikely to exist in Leduc)
  • Household plumbing (responsibility of the property owner)
    • Older fixtures and faucets 
    • Interior water pipes 
    • Solder that connects pipes 

Some steps you can take to reduce any potential lead in drinking water include:

  • Use a point-of-use filter designed to reduce lead in water (e.g. Brita)
  • Flush your water by running kitchen tap for several minutes.
  • Avoid using the hot water tap for consumption, as higher temperatures can accelerate the leaching process in pipes that may contain lead. Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
  • Remove and replace identified lead sources with lead-free fixtures, faucets, and pipes.
  • Install faucet mounts or filtered faucets plumbed-in to separate taps, kitchen sink, or countertop

Questions?

Please contact Public Services at 780-980-7133.