City officials in Calgary are concerned about the city potentially running out of water if residents do not cut down on their water usage. The city needs to stay under a 450-million-litre cap while a major water main is undergoing repairs. On Tuesday, 497 million litres of water were used, which is an improvement from the previous day, but still above the cap. Mayor Jyoti Gondek emphasized the importance of staying under the limit to prevent the city from running out of water.
The city’s general manager of infrastructure services, Michael Thompson, is hopeful that water usage will continue to decrease and remain below the cap until repairs are completed in late September. Calgary residents are currently banned from using sprinklers and hoses with potable water, and are being asked to reduce their indoor water usage by taking shorter showers, reducing toilet flushes, and running fewer dishwasher and laundry loads. These measures were reinstated after additional weak spots were found in the water main earlier this month.
Francois Bouchart, the director of capital priorities and investment for the city, stated that sections of the water main in the Bowness neighbourhood are exposed and will be stabilized with concrete. Additional pipe segments will be exposed for repair throughout the week, and it is crucial for residents to continue conserving water until repairs are completed in September. The city is at risk of running out of water if residents consistently exceed the target water usage limit.
Calgary faced a water crisis when the Bearspaw South Feeder Main in the northwest part of the city ruptured in June. This led to a ban on outdoor watering and a request for residents to reduce indoor water usage by 25%. While restrictions had eased, they were reinstated when more weak spots were discovered in the water main. Mayor Gondek and city officials are urging residents to be mindful of their water usage and to make every effort to stay under the mandated cap to prevent the city from experiencing a water shortage.
In response to the water main issues, Calgary residents have been asked to make significant changes to their daily water usage habits. By following guidelines such as taking shorter showers, delaying toilet flushes, and minimizing dishwasher and laundry loads, residents can help ensure that the city stays within the necessary water usage limits. The city is working diligently to repair the water main and stabilize exposed sections, but it is crucial for residents to continue conserving water until the repairs are completed in late September to avoid the risk of running out of water.
