Alberta Health Services has issued a boil water order for a Cochrane Lake property (263086 Range Road 43) after tests repeatedly showed bacteria.
In an Aug. 13 enforcement order, an executive officer declared “the above-noted Drinking Water Supply is hereby declared unfit for human consumption.”
The property is located approximately 42 kilometres southwest of Airdrie in Rocky View County.
The order said water supplying the premises “may be unsafe for human consumption as indicated by a water sample collected on July 21, 2025 that showed the presence of Total Coliform bacteria.”
A second sample collected on July 28, 2025 “showed the presence of Total Coliform bacteria.” A third test on Aug. 11, 2025 “showed the presence of 3 Total Coliform bacterium per 100 ml.”
The order said those results contravened Section 11 of the Nuisance and General Sanitation Regulation, which states: “Where a person provided a source of water that the person intends to be used or realizes or ought to realize will be used by the public for human consumption, the person shall ensure that the water is potable.”
The order directed the owner to “immediately issue a Boil Water Advisory to all users of the above noted Drinking Water Supply” and to post “do not drink advisory signs next to all water fixtures that are accessible to the users.”
Other measures included providing potable water from an approved source or water that “has been boiled for one minute,” placing sanitizer of at least “60 % alcohol content at all hand-washing sinks,” ensuring “all food processing and preparation is done with potable water … or with water that has been boiled for one minute,” and distributing AHS information on how to use water safely during a boil advisory.
Longer-term requirements included to “assess the water system to identify any potential causes of contamination and conduct any maintenance required to render the water potable. OR, install water treatment … OR, provide an alternate, permanent water supply of adequate volume and pressure.” The order also required water samples be submitted “as directed by an Executive Officer … to demonstrate the water is potable.”
“The work referred to in paragraph 2 (a) to (e) shall be completed immediately,” the order said. “The work referred to in paragraph 2 (f) to (g) shall be completed by September 15, 2025.” Until then, “this order shall remain in effect.”
“The above conditions were noted at the time of receipt of the report and may not necessarily reflect all deficiencies,” the order added. “You are advised that further work may be required to ensure full compliance with the Public Health Act and regulations, or to prevent a public health nuisance.”
The order confirmed a verbal directive was issued Aug. 13 to the property’s facilities manager.
A verbal order was issued Aug. 13. As of Sunday, Aug. 17, the boil water order remained current on the Calgary Zone Health Enforcement Orders website of Alberta Health Services. The date of public posting was not specified.
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