SUNDRE - Reports about potentially dangerous levels of lead discovered in drinking water throughout Canadian cities have not fazed Sundre’s operations manager.
“It’s a huge fear-mongering thing,” said Jim Hall.
A year-long investigation analyzing thousands of tap water test results conducted by Global News in coordination with Concordia University’s Institute for Investigative Journalism as well as other media partners claims that as many as hundreds of thousands of Canadians could be consuming tap water tainted by high levels of lead.
The nationwide investigative effort, which broke headlines last week, indicates the contamination stems not from municipal water treatment plants — which by and large provide clean, safe drinking water — but rather from exposure in lead pipes from old infrastructure and plumbing.
However, to his knowledge, Hall said Sundre does not have an extensive amount of lead pipes, but added the matter is being investigated and that an effort is underway to determine whether, and where, any might be.
“We’ll be releasing as much information as possible,” he said, adding every effort will be made to “protect everyone as best we can.”
Drawing from his extensive experience upgrading and replacing Sundre’s waterlines, Hall said he did not immediately recall pulling out any lead piping along the way. The older style pipes currently underground, he added, are primarily copper lines that were connected to steel mains.
“I think we’re doing our due diligence,” he said.
Not expressing any concerns, Hall said he could not speak to the past practices of large urban centres like Calgary or Edmonton, which likely could have some issues caused by old lead pipes and plumbing.
If upon further investigation of the town’s records it turns out there are lead waterline pipes, that will be a matter to discuss in capital plans moving forward to get them replaced, he said.
“But at this point in time, my staff and I don’t have any fears about that issue.”
Even so, he said people who might be worried about the quality of their water could obtain a kind of filtration product that attaches to a tap to remove contaminants such as lead.
“There is a device you can put on your tap if you’re concerned and want to be safe,” he said.
“We’re researching that.”
Additionally, Hall cautions the public from obtaining any information from social media comment sections.
“What I’ve seen and heard, there’s so much incorrect information.”
Instead, people should direct their inquiries to the town’s operations department.
“I’d like to be proactive and help residents,” he said.
Anyone who is so inclined, he added, can contact the town office at 403-638-3551 and follow the process to fill out a concern form to get more information.
“That’ll come back to my desk and I can individually answer those.”
Hall said he wants to compile all pertinent background information on Sundre’s waterlines and prepare a package to be released to the public.
“I don’t want a mass panic.”
