The City of St. Albert is working closely with Alberta Health Services regarding the water quality advisory issued for the Sturgeon River on April 18, 2025. This is due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria that are present in the water.  

The City encourages all individuals to follow Alberta Health Services’ direction and avoid any activities involving exposure to the water or shoreline of the Sturgeon River. Read the Alberta Health Services Water Quality Advisory for complete details.  

As part of its environmental programming, the City conducts regular river sampling, where the water is analyzed for many parameters including fecal bacteria (E. coli and Enterococcus). Spring flows can be high in bacteria as snow melt carries material off the landscape and into the river and storm system.  

Recent river testing involved an analysis known as Microbial Source Tracking, completed at the University of Alberta, which looks for genetic markers within the bacteria cells that link the bacteria to their original host. Results from the Sturgeon River showed high levels of bacteria from a variety of sources, including beaver, muskrat, canine, cattle, birds and humans. In the spring, increased flows can carry bacteria from upstream areas in the watershed which can contribute to what is seen in the river in our city.   

Due to the elevated bacteria counts, the results were shared with Alberta Health Services. The levels were seen to be more of a “background” amount and are much lower than what is typically seen in raw sewage. However, the combined total of bacterial cells within the water exceeds Provincial recreational guidelines and resulted in a water quality advisory being issued on the Sturgeon River by Alberta Health Services.  

The City is looking into our storm and sanitary systems to ensure the small amounts of human bacteria found are not a result of City operations. In February, a small sewage release occurred in a separate downstream area within St. Albert due to a clogged sewer pipe. The City immediately notified Alberta Environment and Alberta Health Services. As the river was frozen, the government deemed there was minimal risk to the public.  

Bacterial testing is continuing weekly until levels are seen to decline; further microbial source tracking may be performed to trace the source(s) if required.  

The City is continuing to work with Alberta Health Services and is following their guidance on river access/use and encourages residents to stay up to date on Alberta Health Services’ public health advisories.  

- 30 -