Update June 10: Critical water main break affecting city-wide water usage
CALGARY – The City of Calgary is advancing on work to repair a large feeder main break near 16 Avenue N.W. and Home Road. Overnight, crews removed a section of damaged pipe, and removal of two more is underway. Video inspection is being reviewed to help us understand the extent of the damage.
We continue to build out the plan and timeline for completing the repair along with the necessary steps to return safe, reliable water service back to Bowness and lift the mandatory water restrictions.
“I want to thank the crews, engineers and other dedicated staff we have working 24/7 to repair the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and restore normal water supply across our city,” says Water Services Director Nancy Mackay. “We are very grateful to Calgarians and local businesses who have been so patient as we work on these repairs. Your actions to reduce water use are making it possible for us to do this critical work.”
Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Calgarians are making a difference because demand is not outweighing supply, but we need to continue to reduce indoor consumption and avoid outdoor watering.
“People in Calgary and surrounding communities were such good water stewards over the weekend. Water consumption was down significantly, and I can tell you it’s because of all of your efforts. Saturday 440 m/l of water were used and yesterday that number was 457, typically at this time of year our consumption is around the 580 m/l mark, so we have reduced our use by a quarter,” says Gondek.
“If we don’t stick to using less water, the reality is we may run out of water. You could turn on a tap and nothing will come out. That is the reality, it’s not a scene out of a movie anymore. It is incredibly important for us to understand how serious this situation is right now. I’m also very confident that all of you will continue your efforts to conserve water and use less by doing the things you’ve been doing.”
Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Susan Henry added that businesses, residents and regional partners are all playing a role.
“I want to say a special thank you to our Calgary businesses, for continuing to do their part in reducing water. As a reference, businesses in Calgary use about 35% of total water consumption with households using about 65%. Both businesses and individuals play a big role. ”
“We also want to recognize the businesses and residents in Airdrie, Chestermere and Strathmore who use Calgary’s treated water and have been reducing their consumption too.”
BYLAW AND ENFORCEMENT
We continue following up on calls to 311 for water misuse. Since the event began, we have received 815 calls, including 31 new calls as of this morning.
Officers have attended 669 calls so far and have issued 214 verbal warnings, 176 written warnings, and one ticket to a contractor associated with construction work.
Motorists are asked to plan alternate routes through the area this week. We saw considerable traffic congestion around the site of the break this morning.
Since this event began Wednesday, June 6, we have had an additional 10,236 calls to 311 compared to this time last year.
FIRE BAN AND BOIL WATER ADVISORY
Calgary remains under a city-wide fire ban. There have been 109 calls about fire pits and other illegal burnings. We would like to remind Calgarians that gas and propane fire pits are not allowed to be used during the fire ban.
Calgary Fire Department attended to three fires yesterday. Because of your reduction efforts, we have adequate water supply to attend to these fires, but it’s important that we remain vigilant.
The boil water advisory remains in effect for residents and businesses in Bowness. We have delivered 8,200 bottles of water to the Bowness Community Association for distribution.
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
Road closures remain in place near 16 Avenue northwest and Home Road, and commuters are advised to avoid the area as significant delays are expected.
We will continue to provide updates when information is available via local media, social media, 311 and calgary.ca/wateroutages.
Visit https://www.calgary.ca/emergencies/critical-water-main-break-june-2024/faq.html to learn more about frequently asked questions.