Calgary lifts water restrictions following repairs to feeder mains Achi-News

Calgary is lifting water restrictions that lasted most of the summer following successful repairs to a feeder main.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek told a news conference Sunday morning that the South Bearspaw feeder main is now open and back in service for the Calgary region.

Since the end of August, there has been a ban on outdoor water use with potable supplies, and Calgarians have been encouraged to take shorter showers, skip flushing toilets and hold laundry and dishes.

This was the second round of water rationing since the main feed pipe in northwest Calgary burst in early June.

“Whether you turned off the shower while you soaped up or just did full loads of laundry, every liter saved less pressure on our water system, making sure we all had potable water safe treated water reaching our homes and businesses while our crews work tirelessly to repair the main feeder,” Gondek said on Sunday.

Two smaller sections of pipe are still to be repaired in October and November, but the city said they will not require citywide water restrictions because the sections can be isolated while keeping the main feeder running.

The city is asking residents to ease up on normal water use over the next few days to help reduce any spikes in demand, which it said will be easier on the system.

“Maybe you have a mountain of laundry you’ve been waiting to tackle, a pressure washing job you’ve been putting off, or maybe you just want to take that long, guilt-free shower, ” said Francois Bouchart, the city’s director of capital and investment priorities, on Sunday.

“Where possible, we would ask you to please leave these things out over the next few days.”

Bouchart warned that the water flowing from taps may appear cloudy and smell of chlorine, but assured that the conditions are temporary and the water is safe to drink.

It all started on June 5, after the huge water main supplying 60 percent of the city’s drinking water ruptured and flooded streets. A directive was issued to have Calgarians cut their indoor water use by 25 per cent. Car washes and indoor pools were also closed.

Crews scrambled to fix the line and, in the process, found five more weak spots to fix. The city declared a state of local emergency that remained in place until just before the Calgary Stampede in July, and most restrictions were lifted and public outdoor pools were reopened.

Then, at the beginning of August, Gondek announced that extended tests on more than 10 kilometers of pipes had revealed over a dozen more problem spots that needed fixing. The city’s 1.6 million residents and those in surrounding communities have once again been urged to conserve water indoors while a blanket ban on outdoor watering resumes.

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Daily updates were published on the progress of the repairs, as well as how much water the city was using. Non-potable water filling stations were also set up for gardens.

On some days, water usage exceeded what officials said was the limit for keeping the system running safely, prompting conservation pleas from Gondek and city officials.

Many residents, commuters and businesses also faced street closures as repairs were carried out.

“We know this has not been easy. We’ve asked you to make some changes to your most basic habits and make personal sacrifices so that we have enough water for the most essential uses,” Bouchart said.

The city said it expects to receive a forensic report from consultants on what caused the problems with the main feeder by the end of October, and details of its findings will be shared when they become available.

The cost of June’s emergency repairs, which included the five hot spots, is estimated at $20 to $25 million, according to the city. He said initial estimates of the latest repairs are somewhere between $15 and $20 million.

Gondek said Sunday that she will work with fellow mayors across Canada to ensure funding sources are established to address the safety and security of infrastructure such as water networks.

When asked by reporters about compensation for residents or businesses affected by the disturbances, Bouchart responded that the city has been in contact with the affected parties and that recommendations will be presented later.

& copy 2024 The Canadian Press