Concerns raised over ingesting fibres from asbestos-cement water pipes

The report included data about Medicine Hat’s water distribution system. But the city maintains our water system is safe.

Asbestos-cement piping was first used in Medicine Hat in 1960, with the majority installed in the early 1970’s. At the end of last year, 32 per cent of those pipes in Medicine Hat were still asbestos-cement.

Over the years, several studies have been conducted about the potential health hazards, including cancer stemming from fibres entering the water as the aging pipes deteriorate.

Julian Branch, a former Saskatchewan legislative reporter, has studied this issue extensively over the last decade.

“The City of Medicine Hat will tell you we’re exceeding and meeting all the regulations, they are – there are none. It’s pretty easy to meet them. There’s no regulation on asbestos in water,” said Branch.

In response to Branch’s report, the city published a new Q&A page, stating that water is tested according to Health Canada guidelines and there’s no specific testing for asbestos.

The City of Medicine Hat declined an on-camera interview about these pipes, but Coun. Alison Van Dyke issued the following statement via email:

“City Council is in the process of information gathering regarding the asbestos pipes used for drinking water throughout the City. We understand there are concerns from the community, and are working closely with administration to relay any information that may be relevant to this subject.”

As for Coun. Shila Sharps, she believes Canada would likely be testing if asbestos in water was an issue.

“If you look at the report, it’s just making us aware, but I’m also very conscience of the fact that none of our current regulatory bodies are saying that we need to test for this because there is no proof that there is any health effects from asbestos coming through water, being filtered into our taps,” said Sharps.

But Branch questions why more isn’t being done to ensure water isn’t tainted with asbestos.

“There is such a thing as a precautionary approach. It’s used all over the world, and it basically says that even though we don’t know the 100 per cent science behind something, let’s take the precautionary approach, regulate that, control it, while we figure out the science. This is the exact opposite of what’s happening in this case,” said Branch.

Asbestos-cement pipe is no longer manufactured and hasn’t been installed in Canadian municipal water systems for decades. Currently, there are no regulations requiring the pipes to be removed. However, the city says it places asbestos cement pipes through an ongoing annual assessment of aging infrastructure.

by Angela Kazmierczak

Concerns raised over ingesting fibres from asbestos-cement water pipes

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