Calgary water restrictions could be over by Canada Day, mayor says
Posted Jun 26, 2024 2:57 pm.
Last Updated Jun 26, 2024 7:54 pm.
Calgary’s water crisis could be over in less than a week if all goes according to plan.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Jyoti Gondek said restrictions could be lifted by Canada Day as long as crews don’t run into any more unforeseen problems as they work to restore the regular water supply.
Gondek says the filling of the two-metre wide pipe feeder main that burst three weeks ago will begin Wednesday evening. That process is expected to take up to two days.
“As the pipe is filled and brought up to capacity it will be monitored closely to make sure nothing is going awry,” she says.
The next steps needed before a return to normal will be to flush, test and stabilize the feeder main. Gondek says flushing will likely begin on Friday as long as their are no hiccups with the filling process.
After that, lab testing will begin to ensure the water is safe and then the feeder main will be brought back into operation with regular pressure slowly being restored.
“We can see the finish line,” Gondek said. “It’s close, but we still have more work to do.”
Crews are now starting to pave over the areas where repairs were made along the feeder main.
“As work is completed above ground, we are preparing to fill the 16 Avenue feeder main pipe,” says General Manager of Infrastructure Service Michael Thompson. “While you will notice less work happening above ground along 16 Avenue, there is still a lot that needs to happen below the surface as we move into the next phases towards a return to service.”
The city says contingency plans are in place so they can respond quickly, if other issues do come up.
Calgary and some surrounding municipalities have been under a combination of mandatory and voluntary water restrictions since the water main burst along 16 Avenue NW on June 5.
Canada Day celebrations
City officials also confirmed Wednesday that Canada Day fireworks will proceed from Stampede Park.
CEMA Chief Sue Henry says even though there is a fire ban, fireworks can proceed on a case-by-case basis.
“Our partners at the Calgary Stampede have made sure that our show can go on by offering onsite safety oversight, collaboration with the Calgary Fire Department for all necessary safety measures and access to non-potable water sources for their equipment,” Henry says.
More information on Canada Day celebrations in the city can be found here.
Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions remain in place along with the fire ban. Fines are now being handed out for non-compliance and the city says they have now fielded more than 2,800 calls about water misuse, issuing 17 tickets.
The city’s water consumption was down slightly on Tuesday to 471 million litres, after nearing the 480 million litre threshold Monday that officials say is required to stay under to ensure there is enough water to respond to emergency situations.
Residents can now pick-up non-potable water for outdoor plants at six locations across the city and hours of operation are shifting slightly for residential pick up from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The list of locations can be found here.
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