Lakeside Estates - Fluoride Treatment Information

Lacombe County is working to better understand residents' drinking water concerns in Lakeview Estates, where naturally occurring fluoride levels in groundwater exceed provincial health guidelines.

Recent provincial updates to Alberta’s drinking water regulations require all water systems—including ours—to comply with the maximum allowable fluoride concentration of 1.5 mg/L by December 2030.

In 2025, Lacombe County drilled to determine whether a viable aquifer existed that could solve the fluoride issue. However, the results came back negative. Council has since approved the installation of Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems for Lakeview Estates residents, as the most cost-efficient solution to treat the high fluoride levels.

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Why this matters

What you need to know about Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in soil and groundwater. Small amounts help protect teeth. But when fluoride levels are too high, it can create health concerns—especially for children.

According to Alberta Health:

  • Children under 8 who drink water with fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/L may develop dental fluorosis—white streaks or spots on their teeth. This is a cosmetic condition, but it is permanent.
  • Long-term exposure to high fluoride levels may increase the risk of skeletal fluorosis, a condition that weakens bones and can cause joint stiffness.
  • It is safe to use higher‑fluoride water for bathing, washing dishes, laundry, and handwashing. The concern is drinking and cooking water, since fluoride cannot be absorbed through the skin. 

Treatment Options Overview

Lacombe County is exploring several options to reduce fluoride in the Lakeview Estates water system and meet provincial drinking water standards. The main options under review include Ion Exchange (POE), Well Exploration, a Regional Water Line, and In‑Home Reverse Osmosis (POU).
In 2025, Lacombe County drilled to determine whether a viable aquifer existed that could solve the fluoride issue. However, the results came back negative.
Here’s a quick summary of each option that we identified:

This is an interim, household‑level treatment method.

  • A certified installer would place a small Reverse Osmosis (RO) system under the kitchen sink.
  • Each RO unit provides one tap of filtered drinking and cooking water.
  • Intended as a short‑term solution while longer‑term options (such as a regional line) are evaluated.

This option treats fluoride directly at the Water Treatment Plant.

  • Uses sediment filtration, pH buffering, and ion‑exchange media to remove fluoride at the source.
  • Requires expanding the current Water Treatment Plant to fit new equipment.
  • If the fluoride limit is lowered again in the future, operating costs could become too high.

This option investigates new groundwater sources.

  • A potential new water source has been identified about 1.3 km southeast of the subdivision.
  • A new raw water facility would be required at any successful well site.
  • There is no guarantee that drilling a new well will find water with lower fluoride levels.

This option connects Lakeview Estates to a larger, regional water system.

  • The County is participating in a regional water and wastewater servicing study for the Gull Lake area.
  • Costs and feasibility will be determined through this study.
Option Capital Cost Operational Cost (Annual) Estimated Additional Monthly Cost

Estimated Total Utility Bill / Month
(inc. flat rate of $144.91/month)
Ion Exchange (POE) $500,000 $27,000 $70.31 $215.22
Well Exploration $565,000 $13,500 $35.16 $180.07
Regional Line TBD by study — — —
Reverse Osmosis (POU) $64,000 $13,378 $34.84 $179.75

Frequently Asked Questions

Recent changes to Alberta’s drinking water regulations lowered the maximum acceptable fluoride level to 1.5 mg/L. Lakeview Estates’ groundwater is naturally higher than that limit, so the County must meet the new requirement by December 1, 2030.

No. Small amounts of fluoride help protect teeth. But too much fluoride—above 1.5 mg/L—can cause health concerns, especially for children.

Health authorities note two key concerns:

  • Dental fluorosis (white spots or streaks on teeth) can occur in children under 8 who drink water with fluoride above 1.5 mg/L.
  • Skeletal fluorosis, a long‑term condition that weakens bones and can cause joint pain, may occur with many years of high-fluoride exposure.

Yes. Fluoride cannot be absorbed through the skin, so it is safe to use the water for bathing, showering, laundry, and cleaning. The concern is drinking and cooking water, because that’s how fluoride enters the body.

The County must:

  • Submit a Fluoride Assessment by October 1, 2025, including lab samples from each well. 
    • A Fluoride Assessment by Consultant was completed in 2022 (before the 2025 requirement),
    • The County has until June 1, 2026, to make an application to AEPA for new approval.

  • Achieve compliance (1.5 mg/L) by December 1, 2030.
    • If compliance cannot be met naturally, the County must apply for treatment approval and implement a fluoride‑reduction solution.

Several options are under review:

  • Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems installed in homes (Point of Use).
    • Selected by Council as the best option as they are cost-efficient, easy to install and highly effective at treating fluoride.

  • Ion exchange treatment at the water plant (Point of Entry).
  • Alternative water sources, such as a regional water line.

A Point of Use RO system is a small water treatment unit installed under your kitchen sink with a dedicated tap. It removes fluoride and other contaminants by pushing water through a special membrane. The system produces clean drinking and cooking water while the rest of your household water stays the same.

RO membranes typically remove 90–99% of fluoride, depending on the system. This makes RO the most effective short‑term option for reducing fluoride at the tap.

Based on the County’s engineering review, RO systems are:

  • Readily available
  • Less disruptive to the water plant
  • Lower in short‑term cost
  • Effective at reducing fluoride immediately
  • These systems can be used until a long‑term, community‑wide solution is implemented.

RO systems were selected by Council as the best option as they are cost-efficient, easy to install, and highly effective at treating fluoride.

No. RO units are single‑tap systems. They only treat the water used for drinking and cooking. Other household water (laundry, showers, hoses, etc.) is not treated — but that’s okay, because fluoride is only a concern when it’s swallowed.

Yes. Like all water treatment systems, RO units need:

  • Filter changes at regular intervals
  • Occasional maintenance to keep the system working properly
    If maintenance is ignored, the unit will not remove fluoride as intended.

Yes. Once approved by the province, residents would need to collect approximately four fluoride samples per year from their RO tap. The County will provide bottles and pick up samples from your doorstep.

Yes. To install, service, and ensure proper operation of the RO system, approved contractors may need reasonable access to the under‑sink area.

Yes. The County has also looked at:

  • Ion exchange treatment upgrades at the plant
  • Regional water line feasibility

These options come with a much higher price tag, and require more time, design work, and provincial approvals.

Resident feedback helps the County:

  • Understand community needs
  • Plan installations and timelines
  • Identify concerns and barriers
  • Make informed decisions about long‑term water solutions

Your participation directly helps shape the path forward.

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Lacombe County Office
RR 3
Lacombe AB T4L 2N3

Physical Location:
40403 Range Road 27-4

Contact Us
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Email: info@lacombecounty.com 
Phone: 403-782-6601
Fax: 403-782-3820

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