Stagnant water is water that sits for a prolonged period of time without movement. Stagnant water can expose you to:

• Bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.
• Parasites such as cryptosporidium, E. histolytica, and giardia.
• Viruses such as Norwalk virus, hepatitis and rotavirus.
• Unhealthy toxins such as mold and fungus.
• Damaged and corroded pipes, cisterns, water tanks, home treatment devices and other water devices, and water hauling equipment.

Stagnant water can transmit disease through plumbing systems, affecting faucets, dishwashers, washing machines, and other water use devices. In open cisterns, stagnant water can also attract birds and other animals that may succumb to disease as a result of contamination, or drown.

Aquatera is bound by provincial and federal regulations and guidelines, as well as municipal Utility Bylaws held by our four shareholders. Learn more about Regulations and Regulatory Compliance.

Aquatera is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines on public property. We follow rigorous environmental standards, and Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, to ensure that the customers we serve are provided with clean, safe, reliable drinking water.

Customers are responsible for inspections, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines from the property line to the meter (private property), as well as the installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of home treatment devices, and associated plumbing, on private property.

To resolve these issues, home and building owners should flush pipes regularly to ensure pipes and water remain safe.

Flushing Cold Water Pipes

If you have not run your water for six hours or more, turn on the cold water faucet for your kitchen sink and run the cold water for three minutes to flush it through the pipes.

The flushing time can be reduced if combined with other flushing activities such as flushing toilets, running the shower, or running appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine.

Flushing Hot Water Pipes

Turn on the hot water faucet for your kitchen sink and run the hot water for 15 minutes (40-gallon tank) or 30 minutes (80-gallon tank).

This will ensure that all water in the hot water tank has been flushed, allowing for fresh new water to be heated.

Turn on all other hot water faucets in your home including your washing machine, dishwasher, showers, and other sinks, for one to two minutes, to flush those lines.

Treatment Devices and Filters (Installation, Inspection and Maintenance)

If you use a water filter system, ensure it is installed by reputable and experienced professionals, and is cleaned regularly, and inspected and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.

If you use a home treatment device such as a water pitcher, tap filter, or fridge filter, ensure you properly condition new filters before use and replace filter cartridges according to manufacturer guidelines.

Other Water Use Devices

Ensure that all other water use devices and appliances in your home are properly installed by reputable and experienced professionals, and are cleaned regularly, and inspected and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.

This includes dishwashers, washing machines, ice makers, bath and shower nozzles, faucets and sink drains, toilets, cisterns and water tanks.

For more information on tap flushing, email treatment@aquatera.ca or call 780.532.3996.

Aquatera is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines on public property. We follow rigorous environmental standards, and Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, to ensure that the customers we serve are provided with clean, safe, reliable drinking water.

Customers are responsible for inspections, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines from the property line to the meter (private property), as well as the installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of cisterns, and associated plumbing, on private property.

To resolve these issues and prevent contamination, Alberta Health Services recommends that customers clean and disinfect cisterns with chlorine, at least once per year, and sample water semi-annually.

Ensure cisterns, and associated plumbing, are cleaned and disinfected by experienced professionals, according to manufacturer guidelines and guidelines set out by Alberta Health Services.

To further prevent contamination, customers are required to use bolt-down lids on cisterns; damaged lids must be replaced with secure, bolt-down lids.

For more information on cisterns, email treatment@aquatera.ca or call 780.532.3996.

For more information on cistern cleaning, check out Alberta Health Services' Sampling, Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines, or contact Grande Prairie's Environmental Public Health Office at 780.532.7517.

Aquatera is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines on public property. We follow rigorous environmental standards, and Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, to ensure that the customers we serve are provided with clean, safe, reliable drinking water.

Customers are responsible for inspections, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines from the property line to the meter (private property), as well as the installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of water tanks, and associated plumbing, on private property.

To resolve these issues and prevent contamination, Alberta Health Services recommends that customers clean and disinfect water tanks with bleach:

• At least twice per year.
• Any time you know the tank or equipment has been contaminated.
• If you have failed a bacteriological water test from the tank or equipment.

Ensure water tanks, and associated plumbing and equipment, are cleaned and disinfected by experienced professionals, according to manufacturer guidelines and guidelines set out by Alberta Health Services. Water tanks should be situated away from direct sunlight, and properly insulated to remain cool.

For more information on water tanks, email treatment@aquatera.ca or call 780.532.3996.

For more information on water tank cleaning, check out Alberta Health Services' Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines, or contact Grande Prairie's Environmental Public Health Office at 780.532.7517.

Aquatera is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines on public property. We follow rigorous environmental standards, and Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, to ensure that the customers we serve are provided with clean, safe, reliable drinking water.

Customers are responsible for inspections, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines from the property line to the meter (private property), as well as the installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of plumbing on private property.

To resolve these issues, home and building owners should flush pipes regularly to ensure pipes and water remain safe.

Flushing Cold Water Pipes

If you have not run your water for six hours or more, turn on the cold water faucet for your kitchen sink and run the cold water for three minutes to flush it through the pipes.

The flushing time can be reduced if combined with other flushing activities such as flushing toilets, running the shower, or running appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine.

Flushing Hot Water Pipes

Turn on the hot water faucet for your kitchen sink and run the hot water for 15 minutes (40-gallon tank) or 30 minutes (80-gallon tank).

This will ensure that all water in the hot water tank has been flushed, allowing for fresh new water to be heated.

Turn on all other hot water faucets in your home including your washing machine, dishwasher, showers, and other sinks, for one to two minutes, to flush those lines.

Treatment Devices and Filters (Installation, Inspection and Maintenance)

If you use a water filter system, ensure it is installed by reputable and experienced professionals, and is cleaned regularly, and inspected and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.

Ensure that all other water use devices and appliances in your home are properly installed by reputable and experienced professionals, and are cleaned regularly, and inspected and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.

This includes dishwashers, washing machines, ice makers, bath and shower nozzles, faucets and sink drains, toilets, cisterns, and water tanks.

Bylaw C-1139 requires that all customers and contractors comply with Aquatera’s Design Manual and Construction Manual, which specifies the pipe and fitting requirements for the water and wastewater system. Inappropriate plumbing materials and installation can result in the contamination of the water supply.

It is recommenced that plumbing inspections be conducted by a plumbing professional every two to three years to ensure the safety and reliability of the plumbing system. Regular inspections will allow you to detect issues early to mitigate the risk of damaged pipelines and plumbing, eliminate clogs and water leaks which can lead to larger issues, and avoid costly repairs and water consumption increases.

When selecting a plumber to conduct an inspection, be sure to look for the following:

• They are an accredited and certified plumber.
• They are a registered tradesperson, qualified to carry out the work.
• They are insured.

For more information on water tanks, email TREATMENT@AQUATERA.CA or call 780.532.3996.

For information on pipe and fitting requirements, check out Bylaw C-1139, learn about our Standards and Guidelines, or contact Grande Prairie's Environmental Public Health Office at 780.532.7517.

Aquatera is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines on public property. We follow rigorous environmental standards, and Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, to ensure that the customers we serve are provided with clean, safe, reliable drinking water.

Customers are responsible for inspections, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines from the property line to the meter (private property), as well as the installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of home treatment devices.

To resolve these issues, home and building owners should flush pipes regularly to ensure pipes and water remain safe.

Flushing Cold Water Pipes

If you have not run your water for six hours or more, turn on the cold water faucet for your kitchen sink and run the cold water for three minutes to flush it through the pipes.

The flushing time can be reduced if combined with other flushing activities such as flushing toilets, running the shower, or running appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine.

Flushing Hot Water Pipes

Turn on the hot water faucet for your kitchen sink and run the hot water for 15 minutes (40-gallon tank) or 30 minutes (80-gallon tank).

This will ensure that all water in the hot water tank has been flushed, allowing for fresh new water to be heated.

Turn on all other hot water faucets in your home including your washing machine, dishwasher, showers, and other sinks, for one to two minutes, to flush those lines.

Treatment Devices and Filters (Installation, Inspection and Maintenance)

If you use a water filter system, ensure it is installed by reputable and experienced professionals, and is cleaned regularly, and inspected and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.

If you use a home treatment device such as a water pitcher, tap filter, or fridge filter, ensure you properly condition new filters before use and replace filter cartridges according to manufacturer guidelines.

Backflow Prevention

To prevent water from being contaminated due to backflow, building owners can also install a backflow prevention device to water pipes that allows water to flow in one direction but never in the opposite direction.

While Aquatera provides clean, safe, reliable drinking water that follows Health Canada’s Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, consumers may use home treatment devices to modify the taste and appearance of water.

Health Canada recommends that consumers use home treatment devices that are certified, meeting the American National Standard Institute/National Sanitation Foundation (ANSI/NSF) health-based performance standard:

• ANSI/NSF Standard 42 – Drinking Water Treatment Units – Aesthetic Effects
• ANSI/NSF Standard 44 – Cation Exchange Water Softeners
• ANSI/NFS Standard 52 – Drinking Water Treatment Units – Health Effects
• ANSI/NSF Standard 55 – Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems
• ANSI/NSF Standard 58 – Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems
• ANSI/NSF Standard 62 – Drinking Water Distillation Systems

To ensure the continued efficacy of home treatment devices, consumers must carefully follow the installation, inspection, and maintenance instructions for the specified device.

For more information on home treatment devices, email TREATMENT@AQUATERA.CA or call 780.532.3996.

To learn more about home treatment devices, visit the Government of Canada's Drinking Water Treatment Devices FAQ's, or email water_eau@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Aquatera is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater lines on public property. We follow rigorous environmental standards, and Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, to ensure that the customers we serve are provided with clean, safe, reliable drinking water.

Customers are responsible for the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of cisterns, water-use equipment and water hauling equipment (i.e. tankers), and associated plumbing, on private property. 

Customers are also responsible for researching and acquiring appropriate and reputable potable water haulers, ongoing inspection and maintenance activities, and following instructions at all Aquatera Bulk Water Facilities.

To resolve these issues and prevent contamination, Alberta Health Services recommends that customers clean and disinfect cisterns with chlorine, at least once per year, and sample water semi-annually.

Ensure cisterns, and associated plumbing, are cleaned and disinfected by experienced professionals, according to manufacturer guidelines and guidelines set out by Alberta Health Services. To further prevent contamination, customers are required to use bolt-down lids on cisterns; damaged lids must be replaced with secure, bolt-down lids.

To prevent contamination at Aquatera’s Bulk Water facilities, customers are required to follow the proper filling instructions and procedures.

Drinking water is considered a food under Alberta’s Food Regulation (A.R. 31/2006) and in order to operate, potable water haulers must:

• Obtain a Food Handling Permit form Alberta Health Services (Environmental Public Health).
• Meet tank and equipment requirements.
• Follow requirements to operate and maintain their permit.

Potable Water Tank Requirements:

• All tanks and removable equipment such as hoses must be labelled FOR DRINKING WATER ONLY.
• Protect water, storage tank and all other equipment from contamination during filing, storage, transportation, and delivery.

Operation Requirements:

• Food Handling Permit must be posted in the cab of the water hauling vehicle.
• Regular inspections conducted by Environmental Public Health.
• Submit water samples monthly, or as required, to Environmental Public Health.
• Follow cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection procedures per Environmental Public Health.

Learn more at Environmental Health or MyHealth Alberta.

For more information on water hauling, email TREATMENT@AQUATERA.CA, call 780.532.3996, or check out Environmental Health or MyHealth Alberta.

For more information on cistern cleaning, check out Alberta Health Services' SAMPLING, CLEANING AND DISINFECTION GUIDELINES, or contact Grande Prairie's Environmental Public Health Office at 780.532.7517.

To learn more about bulk water, visit Bulk Water Services, learn about proper FILLING INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES or email accounts.receivable@aquatera.ca.