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Water Quality
The City of Camrose ensures that the water leaving the Water Treatment Plant and entering residences and businesses not only meets but exceeds the Canadian Drinking Water Standards.
The Water Treatment Plant conducts over 30 chemical tests each day. Alkalinity, ammonia, calcium,
chlorine, color, conductivity, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, odor, pH, phosphorus, temperature,
TS (total solids), TDS (total dissolved solids), TSS (total suspended solids), and turbidity are some of
the main tests that are completed. The tests are completed on both raw water (water directly from the lake)
and the treated water (water that comes to your home). To comply with our Alberta Environment Approval to
Operate, independent tests are also conducted 3 times a year. These samples are sent to Norwest Laboratories,
where the samples undergo a variety of chemical tests.
Bacteriological testing is also conducted to check for e-coli and bacteria. Our approval to operate requires 1 sample per 1000 people once a month, so on average, one sample should be tested every 2 days. In practice, however, the City conducts more bacteriological tests than are required under the approval to operate: five samples are taken each week and submitted to the Provincial Health Laboratories for analysis. If there is a sample which fails the test, the Provincial Lab contacts the local Medical Officer of Health Immediately. A plan is then implemented with the municipality to identify and correct the problem. If a single test fails, and if chlorine was present at appropriate levels when the sample was taken, then it is very likely that the test itself was bad and not the water. In this case, with the approval of the local health inspector, a second sample from the same location is immediately sent to the Provincial Laboratory and flushing is initiated in the immediate vicinity. If more than one test fails, or if there are other factors which indicate that there may be a problem, then more aggressive steps are taken, including public notification, boil water orders, extensive flushing, or other actions as may be required.
The results from all the water quality testing at the Water Treatment Plant are submitted to Alberta Environment monthly. These results will be available on their website once it is completed. Until that time, detailed data regarding these results can be obtained from the City Engineering Department. An agreement is in place between the City, the Central Region Medical Officer of Health, and Alberta Environment to take a pro-active approach to water quality. In addition to monitoring test results, as above, the Medical Officer and Alberta Environment are notified immediately of any suspected problems with the water treatment or distribution system operations, even if there is no apparent change in water quality. The group then discusses the problem, possible hazards and or possible solutions. Corrective actions are than implemented with approval from the Medical Officer and Alberta Environment. If it appears that a danger to public health may develop as a result of the problem, public notifications, boil water advisory, or other actions may be initiated regardless of whether water quality testing confirms the hazard. The intent is always to err on the side of safety and public health.
In 2001, the City of Camrose started the unidirectional flushing program (UDF). This program helps to
improve and maintain the city's water quality (UDF details). The UDF program was not completed in 2002 due
to the drought that Camrose and area experienced. Since the summer of 2003, this program will be an ongoing
project conducted by the City of Camrose each summer with approximately half of the City being completed each
year as required.
The City of Camrose is also taking a proactive approach to watershed protection. The City is a member of the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance and the Battle River Watershed Alliance. The Battle River is part of the Battle River watershed which is a sub-watershed of the North Saskatchewan River, which is why our involvement in these organizations is important. In the summer of 2004 the City of Camrose worked with Cows and Fish, Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Program and completed a riparian health inventory of Camrose Creek and Mirror Lake within City limits. There are also future plans for the development of a watershed group for the Battle River and Camrose Area, which the City of Camrose is looking forward to being involved with.
Water Quality Links:
- Alberta Environment
- Alberta Lake Management Society
- Battle River Watershed Alliance
- Canadian Water Quality Association
- Ducks Unlimited
- Health Canada
- Water For Life, Alberta's Strategy for Sustainability
- Watersheds of Alberta
- Wonder of Water
