Update June 7: Critical water main break affecting City wide water usage

CALGARY – The City of Calgary continues to repair a large water main break in the Bowness and Montgomery area. This critical water transmission line has severely impacted the supply in Calgary’s reservoirs and the ability to move water across the city. 

Yesterday Calgary saw a significant reduction in water use until the afternoon; however, water use greatly increased around the time people got home from work. Calgary is currently using more water than it can produce.  

If Calgarians do not reduce our water use, we are at risk of running out. The City is asking Calgarians to save water for the next few days while the work gets completed.

Today we’re asking citizens to try to use 25% less water than yesterday. This could mean actions like shaving a few minutes off your shower, skipping a few flushes, and holding off on a load of laundry.

Our crews are still working around the clock. Overnight, we continued to pump water from the area around the break. We are hopeful that by later today we’ll be able to see the feeder main and determine the cause of the break.

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 will continue to monitor the situation, including sampling and testing of the drinking water to ensure it is safe for consumption. This advisory has been 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 in these locations:

• 4527 77 St. N.W. (Bowness Community Association) 
• 5927 Bowness Rd. N.W. (Bow Crest Nursing Home) 
• 7311 34 Ave. N.W. (Our Lady of Assumption School) 
• 4631 85 St. N.W. (On 85 ST beside Belvedere Parkway School) 
• 7915 43 Ave. N.W. (Bow Centre Seniors Home) 
• 2003 46 St. N.W. (James Shouldice Manor - access between school & manor on 47 ST 
• 82 Juniper Dr. N.W. 
• 4628 Montgomery Blvd. N.W. (Bow View Manor Nursing Home) 
• 6540 Bowness Rd. N.W. (on 65 St. N.W. beside Bowness Car Wash)

WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR BUSINESSES

Businesses are asked to stop water use for all non-essential services. This includes businesses that use water for things such as 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 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 also invoked a mandatory outdoor watering ban and is 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
• Turning off water taps when not in use
• Reducing water use in any other way that you safely can.

Calgarians are encouraged to use water from rain barrels for outdoor watering. 

Community Standards will be taking an education first approach with both businesses and residences while Stage 4 water restrictions remain in place. Restrictions include no watering of lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs. Washing outdoors is also restricted including cars, windows, exterior building surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or walkways.  More information on Stage 4 restrictions can be found on calgary.ca/outdoor-water-restrictions.

Non-compliance can result in fines starting at $3,000.

FIRE BAN AND FIRE SAFETY

Due to the major water main break and Level 4 water restrictions, The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) has issued a city-wide 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 is in effect until further notice until water supply issues are no longer deemed a risk to health and safety. Fines for violating a fire ban range from $500 to $5,000.

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 encourage Calgarians 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 because of this incident.

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.