‘Reduce your use’: Calgary water use too high as restrictions return, city says

City officials are reiterating their calls for Calgarians to conserve water and say there is a risk of running out if people don’t do their part over the next four weeks.

Calgary re-entered Stage 4 water restrictions on Monday, the restrictions are expected to last about a month so the Bearspaw South feeder main can be dug up and reinforced with concrete in problem areas.

Residents and businesses are also being asked to cut their indoor water usage by 25 per cent for the duration it takes crews to repair the pipe.

“If you have not started to reduce your use, now is the time,” said Calgary’s general manager of infrastructure services Michael Thompson during a Tuesday afternoon update.

On Monday, Calgarians used 530 million litres of potable water, a 75 million litre drop from Sunday, but still exceeding the 450 million litre target set by the city.

“This drop shows that many of you are taking the right steps,” Thompson says. “While yesterday’s numbers are heading in the right direction, they are not at the level we need to sustain out water supply.

Officials said Monday that consistently exceeding the target for water usage will put the city at risk of running out of water, forcing Calgary into a citywide boil water advisory.

“If we don’t stay at that 450 million litre level, we will be in a lot of trouble,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “If we run out of water it means you will turn on your tap and nothing will come out.”

Data from the city shows Calgarians used 497 million litres on water on Tuesday.

Water flow into the feeder main from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant was turned off early Tuesday, and once it was isolated the water from it was drained into the Bow River.

Construction has already started along 33 Avenue NW. In all, the work will repair 21 sites along 33 and 16 Avenue NW. There will also be two pipe segment repairs on Parkdale Boulevard and near Crowchild Trail.

A massive water pipe rupture in early June resulted in weeks of severe water restrictions, including a ban on watering lawns, a request for shorter showers and fewer laundry loads, as well as an outdoor fire ban.

“We were able to cut our water consumption by 25 per cent back then,” says Gondek. “I am very confident that we can use those same habits now.”

Residents are being asked to limit showers to three minutes, skipping toilet flushes when possible, and only washing full loads of dishes and laundry.

Restrictions had mostly been relaxed until the return to Stage 4 on Monday. Restrictions are set to be in place until Sept. 23, when the work is supposed to be finished.

A list of what is permitted during Stage 4 restrictions can be found here.