The Town of Devon is committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water. As part of that commitment, we are developing a Lead Management Plan and participate in provincial lead monitoring programs.
This page explains what you need to know about lead, how your water is protected, and what steps you can take if you have concerns.
Water leaving Devon’s Water Treatment Plant contains no significant levels of lead.
However, water can sometimes pick up small amounts of lead as it travels through plumbing systems — particularly in older homes with lead pipes or fixtures.
In 2019, Health Canada updated the Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) for lead in drinking water to:
5 micrograms per litre (5 µg/L or 0.005 mg/L) (measured at the customer’s tap)
This standard is regulated by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.
Lead in drinking water does not come from the source water or treatment plant. It can come from:
The Town of Devon does not have lead service lines on the public (Town-owned) side of the system.
The portion of the service line from the property line into the home is privately owned. At this time, the Town has no records indicating lead service lines on the private side, but monitoring programs help confirm this.
Devon’s water is carefully treated to reduce corrosion, which helps prevent metals — including lead — from leaching into drinking water.
These measures help protect water quality throughout the distribution system.
If your home is older and you are concerned about lead:
✔ Flush Your Tap
Run the cold water tap until the water feels cold before using it for drinking or cooking. This ensures you are using fresh water that has not been sitting in your plumbing.
✔ Use Cold Water for Consumption
Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Hot water can increase the release of metals from plumbing.
✔ Consider a Certified Filter
If you wish to use a filter, look for one certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead removal. These are available at most hardware or grocery stores. Be sure to replace filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you would like to test your water for lead, several accredited environmental laboratories in the Edmonton region offer residential testing services.
If you have questions about testing, please contact us:
For more information about lead in drinking water:
Health Canada – What About Lead? https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/water-quality/what-about-lead.html
Alberta Health – Common Questions About Lead and Drinking Water https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/Pages/Common-questions-about-lead-and-drinking-water.aspx