In Edmonton, EPCOR is responsible for the water service from the main to the property line, including the curb stop valve and the meter, and the owner is responsible from the property line to the meter in the home. EPCOR has replaced lead services since 2008, avoids partial replacements, and offers free annual water testing and free NSF 53 filters to customers with lead service lines (as checked September 2026).
- EPCOR owns the service up to the property line plus the curb stop valve and the meter; the owner owns the line from the property line to the meter.
- EPCOR lists a home built before 1960 as a sign of a possible lead service.
- EPCOR keeps records only for its own portion; an annual notice means its records show the utility side is lead.
- Free annual water testing and a free NSF 53 filter are available on request: 780-412-6858 or leadmanagement@epcor.com.
- EPCOR does not support reusing lead service lines when a property is redeveloped.
01 /Who owns which part of an Edmonton water service?
EPCOR, the utility that supplies Edmonton's water, says it is responsible for the part of the service line running from the water main under the street or alley to the property line, and the property owner is responsible for the part from the property line to the water meter in the home. EPCOR is also responsible for the curb stop valve, which it calls the EPCOR shutoff valve and which is typically near the property line in the driveway, front lawn or back alley, and for the meter itself.
Because many Edmonton lots are serviced from the lane, the curb stop may be at the back of the property rather than the front. Find it before any project that involves the service; a buried or damaged curb stop box is a common delay on replacement day. The replacement process guide covers the valves.
02 /How do I know if my Edmonton home has a lead service?
EPCOR lists a home built before 1960 as an indicator, noting that lead was used by builders for water services then and that copper and polyethylene are the preferred materials today. It adds that when the utility's portion is lead, the owner's portion is often likely to be lead too. If you receive an annual notice from EPCOR, its records show the utility portion of your service is lead. EPCOR does not keep records for the homeowner's portion, so your side has to be checked directly.
- Look at the entry pipe before the meter, using the identification guide.
- Check for an annual notice from EPCOR about a lead utility portion.
- Request the free annual test and a free NSF 53 filter from EPCOR (780-412-6858, leadmanagement@epcor.com).
- Run the Lead Water Line Check, which applies EPCOR's pre-1960 marker.
03 /How does EPCOR handle lead service replacement?
EPCOR says it has been proactively replacing lead water service lines since 2008, with a strategy aligned with the City of Edmonton. It aims to avoid partial replacements, because replacing only one section of a lead service can temporarily increase lead levels, and when a partial replacement is required on EPCOR's portion it notifies customers in the area. It also says it does not support reusing lead service lines for redeveloped properties, which matters for infill projects on older lots.
Ask EPCOR how to coordinate your side with its side before you book a contractor, so the two are replaced together. The lead replacement guide explains the reasoning, and the cost page explains what drives the private-side price.
04 /How deep are Edmonton water services?
EPCOR's documents set a deep service, and they state it in slightly different ways. Its May 2023 Water Service Guidelines say each new private service line must be a minimum of 2.59 m and a maximum of 2.89 m below finished grade at the property line. Its December 2024 design and construction standards put the invert of the water service at 2.7 m, plus or minus 0.15 m, below finished grade at the curb cock. Its customer connection guide says water services must be between 2.4 m and 2.75 m below finished grade at the property line. Use the document your permit or designer references.
Depth drives cost and method: a trench that deep needs shoring or a trench box, and trenchless methods between two pits avoid most of it. See frost and water line depth and trenchless water line replacement.
05 /What if my Edmonton water pressure is low?
EPCOR's troubleshooting starts with a neighbour: if they have not noticed a change, the problem is probably inside your home. It then suggests checking its outage and impacts map for work such as main flushing, cleaning aerators and showerheads, checking the fixture valves and for kinked supply hoses, making sure the main shut-off valve is fully open after any plumbing project, bypassing a water softener, and watching for frozen lines in extreme cold. Hot-only problems go to the water heater manual. The Low Water Pressure Diagnosis ranks the same checks for your symptoms. For quotes on an Edmonton service, send your details.
06 /Is my side replaced when EPCOR replaces its side?
Ask EPCOR before assuming either way. It aims to avoid partial replacements and notifies customers when one is required on its portion, so the timing of your private work matters.
FAQQuestions people ask
Who owns the curb stop valve in Edmonton?
EPCOR. It calls it the EPCOR shutoff valve and it is typically near the property line in the driveway, front lawn or back alley.
Does EPCOR know if my side of the service is lead?
No. EPCOR keeps records only for its own portion, although a lead utility side often means the private side is lead too.
Does EPCOR give free lead filters?
Yes, a free NSF 53 certified filter on request, along with free annual water testing, for customers with a lead service line.
How deep is a new water service in Edmonton?
EPCOR's May 2023 guidelines say 2.59 m to 2.89 m below finished grade at the property line; other EPCOR documents state slightly different ranges.
