Rural Plumbing around Red Deer

Guide

Before you call a plumber for your acreage

A well, a pressure tank, a buried water line and a septic system all have to work together on an acreage. Here's what to know before you call, and what to ask so the job is done right and permitted.

1. Know your water system
2. Permits and certified trades
3. Frozen lines and freeze protection
4. Water treatment and septic
5. Dig safely

Know your water system

• Find and label the main water shut-off, the pressure tank and pressure switch, and the breaker for the well pump, so anyone at home can shut the water off fast if a pipe bursts.
• Keep your well records (driller, depth, pump and pressure tank age) with your house papers, and tell the plumber what you're seeing: low pressure, a pump that starts and stops often, spitting taps or dirty water.
• Private well owners in Alberta are responsible for looking after their own wells. The province's Working Well program has free information for well owners. Alberta: Working Well program for private well owners

Permits and certified trades

• Alberta's Safety Codes Act requires permits before most plumbing and gas work, from your municipality or an accredited agency. Safety Codes Council: permit information and where to get a permit.
• Check a plumber's or gasfitter's Alberta certificate with the province's lookup. Alberta tradesperson lookup tool

Frozen lines and freeze protection

• Water lines to the house, shop, barn or a yard hydrant need to be deep enough or protected with insulation and heat trace. Ask your plumber what fits your line before winter.
• Keep some heat in any building with water in its pipes, and drain the lines in buildings you don't heat.
• If a pipe freezes, shut off the water and call a plumber. Never thaw a pipe with an open flame.

Water treatment and septic

• Test your well water before you buy a softener, iron filter, reverse osmosis or UV system, so the equipment matches the water. See our Water Testing & Treatment section.
• Everything that goes down your drains ends up in your septic system. For tank and field work, see our Septic Design & Installation and Septic Pump-Out & Inspection sections.

Dig safely

• Before you or your contractor dig for a new water line, hydrant or shop service, request a free locate so buried power, gas, phone and pipeline lines are marked. Utility Safety Partners: Click Before You Dig

General information only, not legal or plumbing advice. Rules differ by municipality: confirm with your county and a certified plumber. Sources checked October 6, 2026.