REDCLIFF AB-Water testing aimed at examining lead levels could be coming to Redcliff residences in the coming months.
Redcliff Town Council voted to increase the 2020 water operating budget by $10,000 to start phase one of a brand new lead management program.
The new program will be funded through the town’s water reserve.
In November, the provincial government through Alberta Environment and Parks, mandated that all municipalities implement a lead management program.
According to the town, the move came after Health Canada lowered the acceptable rate of lead to five micrograms per litre of water.
Previously, the acceptable rate was set at 10 micrograms per litre of water.
Corey Popick , director of public services for the Town of Redcliff, told CHAT News Today that all water systems and 40 of the most at risk residences will be tested.
Two town employees will be conducting the onsite water analysis.
Two 125 ml water samples will be taken from single family homes and two one litre samples will be collected from multi-family units.
“Once we get the results we have to work with the home owner that those results came from, they will be privileged to that information as well as Alberta Environment. Whether it is a pass or fail is when we will either have to move forward with our remediation type work to remove the lead, or if it passes then we can just move on,” Popick said.
As for if the town has had issues with lead before:
“Not within the town, no,” Popick said.
“We have very low concentration source water coming from the river, and all the town’s distribution lines have no lead materials in them so we aren’t expecting any issues,” Popick said.
Testing for water is required to take place during the warm water season.
The town hopes to begin the testing May 1.
