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1. Where does the city of Lacombe's water come from?

The City of Lacombe gets their water from the Red Deer Treatment Plant via a regional water line connecting Blackfalds, Lacombe and Ponoka.

2. Is the water safe to drink?

Yes. The water that leaves the City of Red Deer Treatment Plant meets and exceeds all of the standards contained in the "Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality." The City of Lacombe frequently tests the water for quality and follows all provincial guidelines to ensure the water is safe.

3. Why does the water taste and smell different?

The City of Red Deer uses a surface water supply (Red Deer River), as a source of drinking water for its residents. All surface water supplies such as Red Deer’s are susceptible to high turbidity and high organic loading during the annual spring snow melt and runoff. These conditions can give the raw water a disagreeable odor and taste.

The treatment process removes most of these tastes and odors, however enough may remain after treatment to be noticeable to the consumer. The treated water at the tap is still safe to drink.

4. How long will the taste and smell last?

Each spring is different, but on average, run-off conditions will last for between three and six weeks. Mountain run-off in late June and early July, can also cause water to smell, if accompanied by heavy rainfall in the watershed.

5. How do I know if I have a water leak?

The most common leaks are running toilets. You can not always hear the water. Try putting some food colouring in the toilet tank, do not flush, wait a while, and check if it shows in the toilet bowl.

As well, dripping faucets waste more water than you think. You may schedule an e-code readout from your meter of the past 90 days. Contact the Utility Department to schedule an appointment.

6. What if my water meter is leaking?

Call the Infrastructure Services department at 403-782-1261 to arrange a convenient time for our repairman to fix or replace the meter.

7. I'm concerned that my meter may be wrong. What should I do?

Older meters tend to run slower rather than faster. You may request a meter accuracy test from Public Works. There is a cost of $200 to have a meter checked. If it is a faulty meter the city pays if it is not the tenant pays this cost.