Update June 6: Critical water main break affecting City wide water usage

The City of Calgary continues to work on repairing a large water main break in the Bowness and Montgomery area. The break is on a critical transmission line that enables us to move water across the city.  The Boil Water Advisory remains for the community of Bowness. We are reminding Calgarians that  Stage 4 outdoor watering restrictions  are still in place and calling for Calgarians to limit their indoor water use.

BOIL ADVISORY AND WATER WAGONS
The Boil Water Advisory remains in place for all residents and businesses in Bowness. Residents and businesses need to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to any consumption, including:

-drinking
-brushing teeth
-cleaning raw foods
-preparing infant formula or juices
-making ice, etc.

Alberta Health Services and The City of Calgary will continue to monitor the situation, including sampling and testing of the drinking water to ensure it is safe for consumption. This advisory is being issued as a precautionary measure.

This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

For more information on Boil Water Advisories and using water safely when an advisory is in place, resources for homeowners and businesses is available here: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/eph/Page15235.aspx#boilwater

Nine water wagons have been placed in Bowness as of 10 a.m. in these locations:
4527 77 ST NW (Bowness Community Association) 
5927 Bowness RD NW (Bow Crest Nursing Home) 
7311 34 AV NW (Our Lady of Assumption School) 
4631 85 ST NW (On 85 ST beside Belvedere Parkway School) 
7915 43 AV NW (Bow Centre Seniors Home) 
2003 46 ST NW (James Shouldice Manor - access between school & manor on 47 ST 
82 Juniper DR NW 
4628 Montgomery BV NW (Bow View Manor Nursing Home) 
6540 Bowness Rd NW (on 65 ST NW beside Bowness Car Wash)

WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR BUSINESSES

Businesses are asked to stop water use for all non-essential services. This includes businesses who use volumes of non-essential outdoor water, such as for construction, exterior window cleaning, pesticide applications and washing surfaces. Businesses using water to deliver a product or service that is life sustaining for people, animals and plants are exempt. Other exemptions include any businesses that must use water to meet health code standards, such as hospitals and restaurants.

WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR RESIDENCES

To share the water currently available, The City has invoked Stage 4 water restrictions and we are asking Calgarians to limit their non-essential water use by taking these additional actions:

-Delay using dishwashers and washing machines.
-Limiting shower times and keeping baths shallow.
-Turning off humidifiers and ice machines
-Turn off water taps when not in use.

Calgarians are encouraged to use the water in their rain barrels to water outdoors.

Community Standards will be taking a education first approach with both businesses and residence while Stage 4 water restrictions remain in place. Restrictions include no use of sprinklers or hoses and no washing outdoors (cars, windows, exterior building surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or walkways). More information on everything that is included in the Stage 4 restrictions can be found on calgary.ca/outdoor-water-restrictions. 

Continued non-compliance will result in fines starting at $3,000.

FIRE BAN AND FIRE SAFETY

Due the major water main break and Level 4 water restrictions in the city the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) has issued a city wide full fire ban prohibiting the use of fire pits, recreational campfires, outdoor fireplaces and other open flame devices that burn solid fuels barbecues and stoves (charcoal briquettes or wood)

The fire ban will be in effect until further notice.

For more information on Calgary fire bans and fire safety advisories, visit calgary.ca/firebans or contact 311. Remember to always call 9-1-1 to report a fire.

CITY SERVICES IMPACTED AND FACILITY CLOSURES

Road restrictions remain in place while crews continue to work on the watermain break. We would encourage them to avoid the impacted area around 16 Ave. and Home Rd. N.W. and to plan some extra time around their commute as there may be traffic impacts as a result of this incident.

We are working with our partners in Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment & Protected Areas to ensure drinking water continues to meet or exceed regulatory and water quality standards as we make the required repairs.

This is a reminder for Calgarians of the importance of having a 72-hour emergency preparedness kit.  More information about preparing your 72-hour emergency preparedness kit can be found calgary.ca.

We will continue to provide updates when information is available via local media, social media, 311 and calgary.ca/wateroutages, and will inform Calgarians when Stage 4 water restrictions are no longer needed.

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