The Town of Coalhurst water distribution system was built in the early 1980s, when lead service lines were no longer being used. This means the Town does not have any lead pipes. However, some homes may still have small amounts of lead in the water, depending on what materials are inside the house.
Our municipal water system has always been tested for lead as part of our regular operations, but in 2020, new regulations were put in place by Alberta Environment and Parks to test for lead within homes, at the point of consumption (i.e., the water tap). That’s when we updated our testing protocols and started offering in-home water sample testing to see if plumbing and fixtures are leading to possible lead exposure in drinking water.
Following these regulations, the Town of Coalhurst offers water tests, free of charge, for residents within town (see info below to request a test). Testing is done following the Alberta Environment and Parks Regulations and Guidelines for Managing Lead in Municipal Drinking Water Systems.
Personal information disclaimer: For those who choose to have their water tested, information about their property address and test results are collected under the authority of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Potable Water Regulation 16(1) for the sole purpose of conducting the waterworks system lead survey of tap water. Test results and address only will be disclosed to Alberta Environment and Parks. Your personal information will not be shared any further unless you provide additional consent to do so.
OWNERSHIP OF SERVICE LINES
It’s important to understand ownership of water service lines. The Town owns and is responsible for the water service line that extends from the water main up to the homeowner’s property line or the water shut off valve in the front of the property. All pipes, solder and fittings on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
ARE MY SERVICE LINES MADE OF LEAD?
To determine whether the service lines on your property are made of lead, you can do the following:
- Check the color of the pipe coming out of the ground and into the water meter, you may have to lightly sand the surface to expose the fresh metal of the pipe. If the pipe is:
- Copper (the color of a penny): It is likely copper pipe.
- Bluish green or black: It is likely plastic.
- Dark grey: It is likely galvanized iron or lead.
- If it is Dark grey, check the hardness of the pipe.
If you think it could be lead, try etching gently into the pipe. Lead is a relatively soft metal and scratches easily. To avoid damage, don’t attempt gentle etching if you think the line could be plastic. There is an instructional video on EPCOR.com/Lead that provides more detailed instructions on how to check for lead. Alternatively, you can call the Town of Coalhurst at 403-308-3033 and request help from one of our water distribution operators to identify your water service line material.
REQUEST A WATER SAMPLE TEST
If you want your tap water tested for lead, the Town of Coalhurst can help. We follow regulations from Health Canada and the Province of Alberta and offer free lead tests between June and September. There are a limited number of tests each year.
To request a lead test, please call the Town Office at 403-381-3033 and ask for help from one of our water distribution operators.
Alternatively, you can complete your own test for lead. A list of Alberta labs that are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for lead in water can be provided. Other labs may also be used if they meet the proper requirements.
LEAD EXPOSURE
Although the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of lead in drinking water is 5 μg/L (according to Health Canada), there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe. Health Canada continues its efforts to encourage the reduction of lead levels as much as possible. Pregnant women and children under six years-of-age are the populations most vulnerable to lead.
Women who have been or are exposed to lead can in turn expose their fetus or infant during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Children are more affected by exposure to lead than adults because they absorb more ingested lead than adults do. In children and fetuses, lead can cause adverse effects on neurological development and behaviour, including reduction of intelligence quotient (IQ). In adults, lead exposure can cause increased blood pressure or kidney problems. Exposure to lead in drinking water is a concern only if the contaminants are ingested. Inhalation and dermal absorption during bathing and showering are not significant routes of exposure.
HOW TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LEAD FROM DRINKING WATER
- Has water been sitting in your pipes for several hours? Run the tap until it’s cold (about one minute) before drinking or cooking with the water from that tap.
- Only use cold tap water for drinking or cooking, since hot water increases the leaching of lead and other metals from your plumbing.
- Clean your taps monthly: every month, inspect the aerators or screens at the tap. If you find debris, clean it out. This will remove any particles that may contain lead, and inspect more frequently. If you do not find debris, continue to inspect monthly.
- Brass faucets and valves can contain some lead. These can be replaced with fittings that are certified to the standard on low lead content.
- A household water filter at the tap can effectively remove lead from your water. The filter must be installed and maintained properly, or it could become ineffective.
- Test your water for lead before installation and during use to confirm the filter is working.
- Make sure that any device you purchase is certified to the NSF International standard for removal of lead.