Calgarians hit water target; city to release updated repair schedule this week

After days of pleading from city officials, Calgarians answered the call and significantly lowered their water usage Tuesday, bringing it into the range considered ‘sustainable.’

City data indicates 481 million litres was used, just below the target of 485 million litres. It’s the first time Calgary has hit the daily water use target since Stage 4 restrictions were reimplemented on Aug. 26.

“I want to offer my sincere thanks to Calgarians, businesses and our regional neighbours for your collective steps to save water,” said director of capital priorities and investment, Francois Bouchart, in a Wednesday afternoon update.

“This reflects some of the encouraging community spirit we have seen over the past weeks, with neighbours sharing water saving tips, and businesses going above and beyond.”

Bouchart specifically singled out landscaping businesses, who he says have made “substantial sacrifices” to significantly reduce their water use.

Stage 4 water restrictions were reintroduced more than three weeks ago due to repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main.

The last time water use was this low — alongside bans on outdoor water usage and requests to lower indoor water use by 25 per cent — was Sept. 1, when 473 million litres was used.

The target deemed ‘sustainable’ by city officials was originally 450 million litres, but was extended last week after crews successfully tested a new configuration that allowed an additional 35 million litres to move through the system.

Calgary didn’t once hit the 450 million litre target.

More rain is expected on Thursday, and the city is urging residents to take advantage by filling rain barrels or other water containers.

Construction ‘progressing smoothly’

Bouchart said Wednesday there is good new when it comes to repairs.

“We’ve actually been able to do the repairs quicker,” he said.

Bouchart says at Sites 1-4 on 33 Avenue NW and at Shouldice Park, all 12 pipe repairs have been completed. One remaining excavation is ongoing at Site 5.

“We are now in the final stage of backfilling and paving before bringing portions of the road back in service,” he added.

The next steps will be to finish concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and restoration of driveways. The city expects to complete paving at sites 2 and 3 on Wednesday.

The city says they will notify those in the impacted areas when driveway access and street parking will be restored.

Bouchart says excavation and concrete pouring is now complete at Sites 6-8 along 16 Avenue NW.

The city is expected to release an updated schedule on the repairs on Thursday. Work on the feeder main was initially expected to be finished on Sept. 23.