Water Services

Our region’s drinking water comes from EPCOR’s treatment plants. Starting in late March 2023, EPCOR will add orthophosphate to its water treatment process to protect customers from lead in drinking water and water pipe corrosion. While there isn’t lead in the water when it leaves the treatment plant, lead can get into the drinking water through lead pipes and other household plumbing fixtures.

Orthophosphate FAQs

What is orthophosphate?
Orthophosphate is tasteless, odourless and safe. Phosphate is naturally found in foods like bread, cheese, fruits and nuts. It’s also a common additive in beverages. Orthophosphate creates a protective barrier on plumbing surfaces to reduce the release of lead in drinking water from all sources, including lead service lines and plumbing. It is the industry standard for treating lead corrosion in municipalities all over the world and in Canada, and has been endorsed by Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment and Parks.

Is orthophosphate safe?
Orthophosphate has been approved for use by Alberta Health. The addition of orthophosphate is regarded as the industry standard for proactively dealing with lead and is used by municipalities throughout North America, including Toronto, Winnipeg and Halifax.

Why are you adding orthophosphate to the water treatment process?
In 2019, Health Canada recognized the serious health impacts of lead by lowering the maximum allowable concentration in drinking water. When water leaves the water treatment plants, it is free from lead. However, EPCOR is adding orthophosphate to protect customers from lead that comes from other sources like lead water service lines and interior plumbing, such as valves and faucets. The lead inhibitor (orthophosphate) forms a protective coating inside water lines and on fixtures which helps prevent lead from releasing into the water that flows through the pipes.

What are the health effects related to orthophosphate?
Adding a lead inhibitor (orthophosphate) has no negative effects on health. It is naturally present in food and is a common additive to beverages. 

Why do we need to add a lead inhibitor in Morinville if very few homes have lead service lines?
Lead service lines are not the only source of lead, in-house plumbing fixtures can also be a source of lead in drinking water. Adding a lead inhibitor to the water is part of EPCOR’s comprehensive approach to minimizing the risk of lead in drinking water for Morinville and other surrounding regional customers. It also ensures drinking water meets the Health Canada guidelines for lead in drinking water.

How do people know if they have a lead service line or lead plumbing?
If your home was built before 1960, it is more likely it may have lead service lines. Homeowners can also visit epcor.com/lead to see the three-step process for finding out what material your pipes are made of.

Will businesses that use water for manufacturing purposes be affected by the addition of orthophosphate?
It is possible some high volume commercial users will need to make a change to their water processes. EPCOR has communicated with commercial customers in advance of adding orthophosphate in order to give each customer ample time to review their process with a consultant or consult their industry association. If you have not been contacted by EPCOR but still have questions, please visit epcor.com/ortho.

Questions?

To learn more about the orthophosphate addition, please visit epcor.com/ortho.

RV sani dump

We have a sani dump located at 9908 104 Street (in the AAA Arena parking lot).

The RV dump is open 24-hours a day year round, although water is only available during spring and summer months. The water is not potable and is for rinsing only.

Water has been turned off and will remain off until spring 2023.

Sewer/wastewater treatment

The sewer system collects wastewater from your home or business and transports it to the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission for treatment.

Sanitary sewer flushing

We flush sanitary sewers annually from April to October.

The work will not affect homeowners or cause any disruption to service, although there is a possibility that small spills, noise and odours may appear in some homes. Odours will dissipate soon after the line is flushed. Open windows to minimize the smell. Keeping toilet lids closed on a regular basis is helpful. 

The sewer cleaning process uses a high-pressure water jet to scrub the pipe. When the water jet passes through the sewer main, the water pressure draws air through the pipes. This air movement has the ability to push out, or pull in the water and air held inside your toilets, showers, sinks and floor drains. Flushing the lines removes sand, gravel and grease from the sewer mains. This preventative maintenance operation helps to prevent sewer blockages, odour generation and premature wear of infrastructure.

Drainage and stormwater management

Our drainage and stormwater management system gathers rainfall and surface water runoff to help reduce flooding.

Snow Melt Issues

Warm temperatures paired with large amounts of snow can create rapid melting, creating challenges for us all.

To help prevent flooding or water damage residents can create a channel if needed to facilitate drainage to the nearest catch basin from the pooling water at edge of property. We understand that this pooling water is freezing over night and causing sidewalks and driveways to become slippery. Our Teams will continue to ensure that catch basins are open to aid with this issue. Free sand is available to residents in front of the Public Works Yard (10310 107 Street), residents are welcome to use this to help combat the ice on the sidewalks adjacent to their properties.

Seasonal odour

A smell similar to rotten eggs can appear in the spring following snow melt. The smell can be present both inside and outside the home and last for up to a few weeks dependent on meltwater flow.

The smell is actually due to “spring turnover” that occurs in our storm ponds all around town as the winter ice melts. Odours from storm ponds are normal due to the accumulated organic material at the bottom of the pond that is getting mixed up as the ice melts and disturbs the ‘eco-system’, causing odour. Unfortunately, the smell may last a few weeks until the ice on our ponds melt completely.

One way to help lessen the smell inside your house (which enters through the sump pump pipe in the house) is to make sure that you have water in your sump. The water should at minimum cover the bottom portion of the pump, we suggest adding water to mid-pump level. 

To help you prepare for the worst, learn more:

• Sewer backup, and what to do.
• Flood prevention