Drinking water in the County is treated by EPCOR in Edmonton.

Strathcona County receives water from the North Saskatchewan River. It originates at the Saskatchewan Glacier in the Rocky Mountains, 500 km southwest of Edmonton.

Chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water. The amount required depends on the impurities in the water. Chlorine residual is the low level of chlorine left in the water after it is disinfected. The chlorine residual provides additional protection from impurities as it flows through the pipes. Alberta’s guideline for chlorine residual is 0.2 mg/L – 4.0 mg/L.

Turbidity is the measure of water clarity. High turbidity makes water cloudy. Small solid particles cause the liquid to be turbid. Canadian drinking water standard for turbidity is less than 5 NTUs.

Cloudy water can be caused by tiny air bubbles in water. This is similar to gas bubbles in beer and carbonated soft drinks. After the water sits for a while the bubbles will disappear. This type of cloudiness occurs more often in the winter when drinking water is colder

Fluoride is added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay and promote dental health. Health Canada recommends a concentration of 0.7 mg/L. The North Saskatchewan river has about 0.15 mg/L of natural fluoride. EPCOR has been adding fluoride since 1967.

Drinking water in the County is treated at EPCOR's E.L Smith Water Treatment Plant in Edmonton. EPCOR Water publishes monthly water quality reports.

Strathcona County also regularly tests the drinking water. The results are published on the Alberta Environment website.