Jan. 9 Major water main break update
The City of Calgary continues to ask all residents and businesses to take action to reduce water consumption while crews are working to repair the feeder main break.
“We’ve seen encouraging signs of reduced consumption but are still operating in a vulnerable position. Using more precious water out of the Glenmore Reservoir could impact our current and future capacity to respond to emergencies,” says Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Susan Henry.
Yesterday, Calgarians used 508 million litres of water, exceeding the safe target of 485 million litres. Calgarians can continue to take small steps to help save just 30 litres per day, including:
- Flushing toilets only when needed—skipping three flushes saves up to 18 liters.
- Reducing shower time. Every one minute you save in the shower saves up to 8 liters of water.
- Running your dishwasher and washing machines with full loads only.
City staff are actively engaging with Calgarians through community information pop-ups, sharing critical information about the current emergency and practical tips for conserving water at home and at work. Nearly 5,000 Calgarians have visited 25 pop-up locations so far, turning curiosity into action—checking for leaks, shortening showers, and sharing conservation tips with friends and family. More pop-ups are scheduled for this coming this weekend and for next week.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
Repair work on the broken pipe has been completed. The new pipe is now in place and the site is being backfilled and road reconstruction has begun, by removing asphalt that was damaged during the watermain break.
Even though the site is backfilled, there are still several steps before the pipe can be restored to service. Today we began the process of slowly filling the pipe with water, which will take several days. After that we will move to next steps, including water quality testing and stabilizing the system.
We are still asking everyone to conserve water while this work proceeds.
Protecting the Community
There is no guarantee against another break once the pipe is returned to service. Out of caution, we are taking measures to protect communities from flooding in case of another break.
- Today, crews began removing two sections of the flood protection berm along Montgomery Boulevard NW. In the event of a break in the area, this would allow water to flow into the river. We are making plans to reinstall the berm if needed during flood season. There will be impacts to the pathway in this area.
- This weekend we will be installing temporary barriers along a 400-metre stretch of the Bow River pathway near Parkdale Boulevard NW, between 33rd and 30th Street NW, to protect the community. Pathway detours will be in place.
- Crews are clearing catch basins, opening river outflows, and adjusting manhole covers to improve drainage in multiple areas.
- We are preparing to deploy temporary pumps quickly to remove water from low-lying areas if necessary.
We are planning additional pipe reinforcement work in the spring, when river flows to the Glenmore Reservoir are high enough that it can be refilled. However, if there is another unplanned break before then, we are also preparing to take quick action to reinforce several locations along the feeder main at the same time as the break is being fixed.
We have identified several sites along 16th Avenue, and are prepared to step in to rapidly start work on these sites if another unplanned break occurs. We will work closely with those in the area to make sure they are informed and to provide support where possible.
ROADS AND MOBILITY
Westbound traffic along 16 Avenue N.W. between 49 Street and Sarcee Trail N.W. remains closed. Speed reductions are in place throughout the construction area.
For the latest information about road closures and detours, please go to: https://www.calgary.ca/roads/conditions/traffic.html
To view the daily water usage dashboard, visit calgary.ca/watermainbreak
More updates will be shared as information becomes available.
Keep updated by visiting www.calgary.ca
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