The City of Lacombe will be installing a fence at the dog park following water quality concerns.
At a Lacombe City Council open forum on May 12, a resident requested that a physical barrier be installed around the drainage swale located inside the Fish & Fetch Off-Leash Dog Park.
The resident reported that dogs entering the slough were consistently becoming ill, with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.
Concerns were raised about possible contamination from industrial or urban runoff.
In response, council directed administration to conduct water testing of the drainage swale to assess potential health and environmental risks.
The results confirmed elevated levels of sulfate, sodium and total dissolved solids, conditions known to cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs.
Microcystins, toxins associated with algal blooms, were not detected.
Water testing showed that while there were no toxic metals or harmful bacteria present, the water quality was poor, with high levels of salts, minerals and sulfates, a compound known to cause diarrhea in pets.
Additionally, the results showed:
- Elevated levels of sulfate, sodium and total dissolved solids (TDS), all of which may cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs
- High water hardness and mineral content, indicating runoff contamination
- No detection of microcystins (toxins from blue-green algae), confirming no presence of harmful algal blooms
These results support community concerns and validate the request for a physical barrier to limit pet exposure.
Installing a barrier—temporary or permanent—would address safety concerns, enhance public trust in the park and reflect the city’s commitment to responsible park management.
Council directed administration to proceed with the installation of a permanent fence around the drainage swale at the Fish & Fetch Off-Leash Dog Park, to be funded from the general capital reserve.
** With information from Lacombe City Council
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.
CentralAlbertaOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the CentralAlbertaOnline app.