EDMONTON—Alberta’s official opposition is calling on the government to review residential drinking water safety, in light of an investigation by the Toronto Star and other media outlets into lead levels in Edmonton and Calgary’s tap water.

Marlin Schmidt, the NDP’s critic for environment and parks, said he was “shocked” to learn some homes in Alberta cities had lead readings far exceeding federal safety guidelines and it’s “beyond time we do something about it.”

“We need action. People are drinking this water every day,” he said Tuesday. “Every day that people drink this water, their health is put at risk. It needs to be dealt with right now.”

Data released for the first time in a story published Monday by Star Edmonton showed local residents have been drinking water with lead levels far exceeding Health Canada’s guideline of five parts per billion over the last 11 years, with lead levels at homes reaching triple digits in extreme cases.

Almost half of homes tested by reporters over the last year in older Edmonton neighbourhoods exceeded 5 ppb.

Edmonton’s private water utility EPCOR estimates 4,450 Edmonton houses have private lead lines and another 23,000 exceed guidelines because of lead plumbing or fixtures.

In Calgary, tests collected by the city between 2014 and 2018 showed about 40 per cent of houses exceeded 5 ppb, with the highest result being 82 ppb.

The data was obtained as part of a yearlong national investigation into drinking water by more than 120 journalists from nine universities and 10 media organizations, including MacEwan University, Star Edmonton, Global News and Concordia University’s Institute for Investigative Journalism.

The NDP is calling on the United Conservative government to immediately conduct a review of residential drinking water safety, ban plumbing fixtures containing lead and order utilities to replace lead lines or pay for the replacement themselves.

Edmonton’s private water utility EPCOR estimates it would cost $14 million to replace all lead lines, while Calgary city officials pegged the cost at $11 million.

Jason Nixon, Minister of Alberta Environment and Parks — the ministry in charge of regulating residential drinking water — said during question period at the legislature Tuesday that the government will ensure Health Canada’s guidelines are adopted across the province.

“We think we have a plan going forward that makes sense and will involve all the partners that matter in this important issue,” Nixon said.

When Schmidt pressed him on what actions the government will take, Nixon did not offer specifics.

The minister’s press secretary Jess Sinclair said Nixon was not available for further comment, but said in an emailed statement that roughly 700 drinking water system operators regulated by the ministry will be required to “develop and implement lead programs that drive continuous improvement over the next five years,” starting in January 2020.

The programs will require sampling at a minimum number of customer taps, communication with homeowners and, ultimately, the removal of lead service lines, Sinclair said.

EPCOR responded to the lead stories in a Twitter thread Monday, posting from its official account that nothing has changed overnight in Edmonton’s drinking water and the lead levels found do not represent an “acute or immediate health risk.”

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The utility plans to add orthophosphate to the water by the end of 2020 at a cost of $44 million, as a blanket solution to prevent lead leaching from pipes. It’s a remedy used by cities such as Toronto, Winnipeg, Detroit and Quebec City, and EPCOR expects it will reduce lead levels by at least 80 per cent in the first year.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said EPCOR reports to the city regularly and has taken a proactive approach to dealing with lead in drinking water.

“Overall, I have full confidence in the water supply and the integrity of it in our city,” Iveson said.

With files from Kashmala Fida

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