Lead Services - The City of Red Deer

In 2009, Health Canada introduced guidelines for corrosion control in water distribution systems. Corrosion inside metal water pipes can cause copper, lead or iron to leach into the water supply. Lead has been identified as the main contaminant of concern, and system owners are now being asked to monitor lead levels within their systems. Lead exposure can lead to human health issues but Alberta Health Services has indicated that no health issues linked to lead exposure have been identified in Red Deer.

Pre 1960 building codes allowed for the use of lead piping for home water services, as well as the use of plumbing solder and brass fittings with a high lead content. These are the primary sources of lead contamination in drinking water. There are approximately 3500 homes in Red Deer where the service piping material is unknown. It is expected that several hundred of these homes will have a lead water service.

Red Deer uses a caustic soda treatment to balance the pH of the finished water and to minimize water corrosivity. This practice will produce a protective scale which will coat the inside of the pipes and minimize lead leaching.

An action plan has been prepared, to engage the residents in the affected areas, by encouraging them to participate in the lead piping identification and water sampling processes. Homeowners located within identified areas of the city will be contacted by letter first week of August 2010.

Q&A Backgrounder

Contact us

Mailing Address:
The City of Red Deer
Box 5008
Red Deer AB T3N 3T4

Phone:
Environmental Services
403-342-8750

Email:
Leadservices@reddeer.ca