Water demand challenged by heat as Calgary water use ticks up slightly

The City of Calgary says Friday’s usage was 505 million litres, up from the previous day and higher than its goal of 485 million, officials said in an update Saturday.

Carolyn Bowen, director of climate and environment for the city, says Calgarians are saving 100 million litres of water every day, which is over 80 per cent of the way to its goal.

“We still have a gap of approximately 15 million litres every day, and that’s a lot of water. But the good news is there are very simple actions we can all take that can close that gap,” she said.

“If everyone in Calgary skipped one extra toilet flush, we could save a further eight million litres. Skip two flushes, and we have reached our goal. So these small actions truly add up.”

The level of consumption the city is aiming for is 485 million litres, increased from 450 million litres earlier this week when crews tested a new configuration that let 35 million more litres safely move through the system.

She also says the city has been in discussions with large commercial customers to encourage decreased reliance on city water for their operations.

“We have a new commitment for an additional reduction of three million litres a day, and are working together on further actions,” Bowen said.

Showers will be turned off at city-operated arenas, athletic parks and the Calgary Soccer Centre, which will lead to savings of 170,000 litres of water daily.

With the extreme heat hitting the region, the city is also urging Calgarians to cool off near bodies of water, shady areas, indoor facilities, and indoor pools.

“It’s still really critical that we all continue to save water at home, especially with warmer weather in the forecast,” Bowen said.

“With heat expected [Saturday] and [Sunday], we understand the need to tend to flowers and gardens in anticipation of the fall and the temptation to look for ways to cool off.”

Calgarians are being asked to use non-potable water sources like rain barrels, grey water or river water. The latter can be picked up from one of the city’s three non-potable water pick up stations. The hours at these stations have been extended from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The pick up stations are listed below.

• Ogden Boat Launch, 3303 Bow River Pathway just south of Inglewood Golf Club (not at the Graves Bridge boat launch).
• West Baker Park Boat Launch, 4320 Bow River Pathway.
• Bankside Day Use Area – Fish Creek Provincial Park, 153 Avenue SE.

With Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions in place, Calgary 311 has received 1,148 residential bylaw complaints, 255 commercial and industrial, and 109 multi-family. Twenty-two violation tickets were issued, which carry a $3,000 fine.

“We understand that it can be frustrating when you are doing your part and see others who aren’t,” Bowen said.

She says Calgarians who are seeing outdoor water misuse can provide information related to these instances through the Calgary 311 app or calgary.ca/311.

Construction on track for Sept. 23 timeline

Meanwhile, Bowness Road is open in both directions, and construction along 33 Avenue and Shouldice Park is progressing well, and sites one through four is on schedule.

Concrete has been poured at nine of the 12 repair segments, and Bowen says the city anticipates the remaining three segments will finish the final stage of repairs, and backfill activities are expected to start Saturday.

“Excavation activities continue at site five, which is the final site on 33 Avenue, located at 33 Avenue NW and 86 Street. It is anticipated that two of the three excavations at this site will be completed today (Saturday),” she said.

In the meantime, 16 Avenue NW is closed from 46 Street to 41 Street, with traffic being detoured onto Bowness Road. With Bowness Boad being open in both directions, there is direct access to 16 Avenue and the businesses there.

“We encourage Calgarians to support local businesses during this time. And want you to know that Bowness and Montgomery are open for business,” Bowen said.

Water restrictions are expected to end on Sept. 23.