Stage 3 water restrictions to remain through weekend; changes could come Monday

City officials say Calgary’s current outdoor water restrictions will remain in place through the weekend, but changes could come on Monday.

Francois Bouchart, the city’s Director of Capital Priorities and Investment says no new wire breaks have been detected since Thursday’s update. Three additional wire snaps were discovered along the Bearspaw South feeder main since last weekend.

“This is not a sign of an imminent break in the feeder main,” he reiterated during Friday afternoon’s update. “It is a sign the pipe is under significant stress.”

Stage 3 restrictions prohibit the use of hoses or sprinklers, but people can still do outdoor watering by filling up pots or bottles. The city made exemptions this week to allow the filling of outdoor pools amid the extreme heat.

Bouchart says the pipes aren’t ready to move to Stage 2 outdoor restrictions as of yet, but officials will take the weekend to assess whether they can increase flow to the pipe. A decision will be made on Monday.

“Sprinklers tend to use a lot more water than other outdoor water uses, like watering by hand using a watering can,” Bouchart says.

Calgarians used 565 million litres of water on Thursday, down from a peak of 567 litres on Wednesday.

On Saturday’s update, Bouchart said water use dipped to 554 million litres, attributing this to the city cooling down following the extreme heat it was under.

He adds the city is continuing to monitor and analyze compiled information to decide whether increasing water flow beyond 55 per cent is possible or “if we need to stay in stage three water restrictions for a longer period of time.”

Bouchart said 535 million litres were used on Saturday and no further issues were found.

Stage 3 restrictions remain

Under the current Stage 3 Outdoor Water Restrictions, some outdoor potable water use is allowed. This includes:

• Watering plants with a watering can or container using water from the tap.
• Using a sprinkler or hose to water new sod (for up to 21 days after it is planted) or lawn seed (for up to 45 days after it is planted).
• Water use for construction purposes, like dust suppression, compaction, concrete mixing, watering of new trees and shrubs that are part of a new build and other construction-related activities.
• Water use for home renovation projects, like washing driveways and other surfaces to prepare for paving/sealing, or power-washing a home prior to painting.

Outdoor pools, spray parks, and wading pools are resuming service. These facilities were given an exemption from Stage 3 water restrictions as they create safe spaces for people looking for relief from the heat.

For the latest on the heat wave, water restrictions, and more, tune in to CityNews 660.