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.
No content