Calgary officials say 5 more problem spots located along feeder main, detail repair process

City of Calgary officials have unveiled details of the repair process along the Bearspaw South feeder main and say they have found additional spots in need to repairs.

Officials said Thursday there are five more “less-serious” trouble spots that have been identified, bringing the total to 21 along the major pipe that runs through northwest Calgary.

General Manager of infrastructure services Michael Thompson says the city wants to tackle all the repairs at the same time and they have started to mark the areas where digging will occur, adding that residents will notice blue paint markings.

“We have increased the number of pipe segments to be repaired, as there are additional repairs that are adjacent to the urgent repairs that are currently needed,” says Thompson. “We are taking care of all of them at the same time.”

He says repairs on the 21 sites will happen along 33 Avenue NW and 16 Avenue NW, before two more pipe segment repairs on Parkdale Boulevard and near Crowchild Trail.

Thompson adds there will be a total of 16 to 18 excavation sites during the month-long repair process that is scheduled to begin on Aug. 28.

He says the city has been using acoustic monitoring devices, installed in March or April, to monitor wire breaks along the feeder main. He said that system is being upgraded to a fibre optic system starting next week.

“The new system will include fibre optic cable installed inside the pipe. This will accurately identify the location of a wire snap and allow us to monitor the pipe’s health more closely,” he said.

Officials announced last week the city would move back to Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions on Aug. 26, the day the feeder main will be turn off, after more trouble spots were found by a pipe diver device.

Restrictions are expected to last until Sept. 23 to give workers the chance to make necessary repairs.

During this time, there will be a total ban on watering lawns and gardens, and Calgarians will be strongly encouraged to reduce their indoor water use.

City officials are also encouraging residents and businesses to plan ahead and take advantage of using potable water while they can.

Businesses are being asked to find ways to cut 25 per cent reduction of their regular daily water usage during the time the pipe is turned off. The city says no businesses will be asked to close, including car washes.

Non-potable water stations will once again be set up along the river for people to use when the tighter restrictions take effect, according to officials.

With files from The Canadian Press