St. Albert residents should stay out of the Sturgeon River near the Benoit Bridge due to an ongoing risk from fecal bacteria, the province’s health agency reports.
Alberta Health Services updated its water quality advisory for the Sturgeon River on July 14, 2025.
AHS first issued that advisory on April 18, 2025. A clogged pipe caused a sewage release into the Sturgeon in February. The city notified the province, but the province ruled there was little risk to the public at the time as the river was frozen. Subsequent water quality monitoring determined that an advisory was warranted.
The initial advisory covered nearly all of the Sturgeon in St. Albert — specifically everything northeast of Ray Gibbon Drive within the city’s borders.
As of July 14, AHS said water tests showed the effects of the sewage release had dissipated enough for them to shrink the advisory to just the Rivercrest region near the Benoit Bridge (the footbridge near St. Albert Centre). While the rest of the Sturgeon was now back to normal, the stretch around Rivercrest still had enough fecal bacteria in it to threaten human health.
“At these levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water. As well, there is the possibility of skin, ear, and eye infections with water contact.”
AHS advised people to not eat fish or drink water from the Sturgeon in the Rivercrest region, even if the water has been treated. Pets or people should not swim in the river in this area. Kayak and canoe users should avoid contact with the river here if possible and wash themselves, especially their hands, thoroughly as soon as possible afterwards.
AHS added that people should never drink or cook with untreated river water, as the water may contain bacteria that can cause vomiting or diarrhea.
AHS said it was still tracking the situation on the Sturgeon. This advisory was to remain in place until further notice. Questions on the advisory should go to 1-833-476-4743.
