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Water
Click on the FAQ questions below to see the answers.
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Q. How do I know if my water is safe to drink?
A. The water in the Regional Municipal of Wood Buffalo is regularly tested and meets or exceeds the guidelines set out in the Canadian Drinking Water Standards. Water samples are collected daily from sites throughout the distribution system. These samples are taken to the provincial Public Health Laboratory for testing. -
Q. I don't like the taste/smell/appearance of my tap water. What's wrong with it?
A. Even when water meets and exceeds Canadian Drinking Water standards, you may still object to its taste, smell, or appearance. Common complaints about water aesthetics include temporary cloudiness (typically caused by air bubbles) or chlorine taste (which can be improved by letting the water stand exposed to the air). -
Q. What if I have a severely compromised immune system?
A. Some residents with severely compromised immune systems may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than those without. These individuals should seek advice about drinking water from their health care provider. -
Q. Is bottled water a better alternative to tap water?
A. Bottled water is valuable in emergency situations, and high quality bottled water may be a desirable option for people with weakened immune systems. However, it is not necessarily safer than your tap water and costs much more than tap water on a per litre basis. Tap water provided by public water systems is regularly tested. Consumers who choose to purchase bottled water should carefully read the label to understand what they are buying, whether or not it tastes better and what method of treatment is used. -
Q. What about home water treatment units?
A. People do not need to treat their drinking water that is supplied by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to make it safe. A home water treatment unit can improve the water's taste or provide an extra margin of safety for people more vulnerable to the effects of waterborne illness, such as those with weakened immune systems. Consumers who choose to purchase a home water treatment unit should carefully read its product information to understand what they are buying; the unit will provide a better taste or a certain method of treatment. Be certain to follow the manufacturer's instructions for operation and maintenance, especially changing the filter on a regular basis. -
Q. Where does our water come from?
A.- Fort McMurray urban service area - Athabasca River
- Fort MacKay - Ells River
- Anzac - Gregoire Lake
- Janvier - Christina River
- Conklin - Christina Lake
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Q. Why are fire hydrants sometimes allowed to flow?
A. Fire hydrants are opened as part of water quality maintenance. Water pipes often need to be flushed to ensure they are free of sediment that can accumulate. Fire hydrants are hooked up to the same system as our drinking water pipes, therefore the flushing is done for safety reasons and to ensure the hydrants operate properly. The Municipalityshould be present during this activity. -
Q. Who develops Drinking Water Guidelines?
A. Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality are developed by Health Canada in cooperation with the health and environment ministries of the provinces and territories. Municipal Drinking Water Quality Objectives, containing constituent objectives specific to Saskatchewan, are also established by the Federal Provincial Advisory Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health. -
Q. What causes large increases in my water bill?
A. There are several factors that may contribute to a fluctuating water bill, including:- high consumption due to additional appliances (dishwasher);
- increased lawn or garden watering;
- leaking plumbing fixtures;
- a billing adjustment from an actual meter reading after several months of estimates, or;
- reconciling a meter read with the remote reader.
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A. The water pressure at the Water Treatment Plant is maintained at 690 kPa (100 psi) throughout the year. However, distribution system pressures vary based on factors such as the contour of the land (the higher you are, the lower your pressure will be), and the system water demands. During the summer months in periods of high demand, system pressures can drop to 275 kPa (40 psi).
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Q. Why does my water taste and smell like chlorine?
A. We add chlorine to disinfect the water and keep it free from harmful organisms. Some conditions, such as spring run off, affect the quality of the source water and in such times we adjust the water treatment process to ensure the water remains safe to consume. On other occasions, we are required to increase levels of disinfection due to increased bacteriological activity in the source water. At these times you may notice a chlorine taste and smell in your water. -
Q. Why does my water have a milky or cloudy appearance?
A. Air bubbles in water can sometimes cause a milky or cloudy appearance. If the water is allowed to sit, the air will dissipate and the water will clear. These bubbles pose no health risk. -
A. Water hardness is caused by the minerals calcium and magnesium in both ground and surface water sources.
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Q. What are the health issues surrounding water hardness?
A. Health Canada has not established drinking water guidelines for hardness because there are no known health effects. -
Q. What is the hardness of the water in my area?
A. Water hardness varies throughout the year. The 2006 Water Hardness report provides data for each month in each community.
