Boil water advisory lifted for Calgary’s Bowness neighbourhood

The boil water advisory put in place as a result of a major water main break in northwest Calgary last week has been lifted.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) confirmed the advisory has been rescinded and satisfactory water quality has been restored for the Bowness neighbourhood.

“All residents and businesses in this community can return to normal water consumption practices, as boiling is no longer required,” reads a release from AHS.

The city says they are able to deliver safe drinking water to the community from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant by bypassing the damaged section of the feeder main. 

UPDATE: The Boil Water Advisory for Bowness has been lifted after testing from @AHS_media.

Water restrictions are still in place for all Calgarians as the main feeder main is still in repair which affects water supply throughout the city.

— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) June 11, 2024

The order put in place last Wednesday required all residents and businesses in the area to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before consuming it for any purpose, including drinking, brushing teeth, cleaning raw foods, making baby formula, juice, ice, and more.

The city still remains under Stage 4 water restrictions that requires all residents and businesses to refrain from outdoor water use. The list of restrictions can be found here.

Crews continue to work around the clock to repair the major feeder main break along 16 Avenue NW near Home Road. The break was discovered last Wednesday when flooding was reported in the area.

Workers were able to remove sections of the damaged pipe over the weekend, but the city says it will likely still be several days before everything is resolved.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek thanked Calgarians for trying to do their part to reduce water use during a Monday afternoon update. She says the demand for water is still not outstripping supply, but stressed there is a continued need for everyone to curb their usage.

Calgarians are still being asked to be smart about their indoor water use, including shortening their showers, using the dishwasher and washing machine only when needed and with full loads, and shutting off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.