Show All Answers

1. Where does our water come from?

Our water comes from the Bow River. We pump the water from an intake dug into the riverbed to the town’s water treatment plant. The treatment plant includes processes that clarify and micro-filter dirt along with harmful and undesirable substances from the water. After that, a multi-barrier disinfection process using ultraviolet light and chlorine ensures that the water remains safe for drinking. The treatment plant meets and exceeds the current requirements of Alberta Environment in the delivery of excellent quality water.

With the completion of the recent upgrade, Cochrane's plant has one of the strictest approvals in Alberta, and it is one of only a few that combines three state-of-the-art processes under one roof, along with a control system that rivals any modern manufacturing plant in operation.

2. Is our water soft or hard?

Cochrane's water is considered hard because of the amount of calcium in it; the calcium occurs naturally at the mountain source. It typically measures as 180 mg/L or 10 to 11 grains per gallon hardness.

3. Does the Town add fluoride to our drinking water?

No, there is no fluoride added to our water. There is a natural fluoride ion of 0.12mg/L in the Bow River source water.

4. Why is my water cloudy?

Water gets cloudy when there is air trapped in it. This happens more often in the winter when the water is colder. It does not have an impact on the quality of the water.

5. Why does my water pressure fluctuate?

The water pressure in our system is usually constant, but in periods of high water use, slight pressure variations can occur. Sudden and drastic pressure changes should be reported to Operational Services at 403-851-2590. 

As well, each home has a pressure-reducing valve that may go out of adjustment and require setting (the valve is part of your home plumbing system and is private). Call a plumber if you suspect a problem with the valve in your home. 

6. How much water do we use here?

Our highest demand day came in 2016 when we used a total of 13.9 million litres of water. Our population was 25,122 at the time, which means on that day we used an average of 552 litres of water per person. In 2017, we averaged 238 litres per person per day in the winter, and 354 litres per person per day in the summer.  In 2008, Town Council decided that expanding our current water treatment plant will enable us to use the remaining capacity of our existing license. This option is the most cost effective and involves the least risk. 

7. What water conservation measures does Cochrane have in place?

We have numerous conservation initiatives that have been successful such as the three-tier water rate, the water conservation rebate program and a low-flow fixture requirement. The Water Utility bylaw limits the time of day you can water outside year round. Since the bylaw was originally approved in 2008, Cochranites have reduced their average water consumption approximately 15%.

The Town has also partnered with ExactET on a local weather station that can send information to irrigation systems so that they only use the water your soil really needs. We are also working with Parks to pilot irrigation systems controlled by this weather station.

As an organization, the Town has a policy in place to look for ways to reduce water consumption in the Town operations as well as in the community. We continually research new initiatives to consider for water conservation.