Alberta government looks to test water in all provincially owned buildings for lead

EDMONTON - Alberta's government is planning to test the drinking water in all provincially owned buildings for lead and copper. Infrastructure Minister Martin Long's office says many of the buildings are aging and the widespread testing is meant to be a proactive step. Long's press secretary Alex Cattran says if the tests reveal issues and degraded infrastructure, the province will immediately address them. Cattran says provincewide testing is a break from usual procedure, as in the past testing was only done on a case-by-case basis. A request for proposals published by the government says the project will cover more than 200 buildings, including the provincial legislature and courthouses. It says the province aims to have the project completed by the spring of next year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.