The City of Calgary is finalizing plans to repair several areas of concern along the Bearspaw feeder main in late August. Crews will be surveying areas in Bowness and Montgomery to identify where the feeder main and utilities are located underground. This work is expected to take two days and may require access to private properties. Construction is set to begin on August 28 to repair 16 areas of weakness detected in the feeder main pipe under 33 Avenue N.W., 16 Avenue N.W., and Parkdale Boulevard. The repairs are expected to be completed by the end of September, and residents have expressed concerns about a lack of information regarding the impacts of the work.
City officials have acknowledged the concerns raised by nearby residents and stated that impact assessments are ongoing to address all aspects of daily life that may be affected by the construction. Definitive details are expected to be provided on Thursday, with regular updates on construction scheduled twice per week during the repairs. Stage 4 water restrictions will be implemented on August 26, two days before construction begins, prohibiting outdoor water use. Residents are encouraged to sign up for updates on the city’s website to stay informed about the progress of the repairs.
The City of Calgary will be implementing water-saving measures during the repair work to ensure that water is used wisely. This includes ceasing watering of plants, flowers, and grass, as well as pausing the washing of city-owned vehicles unless there are health and safety requirements. City pools and arenas will also be reducing water usage, such as by reducing the frequency of flooding ice rinks. Residents are encouraged to prepare their gardens and plants while the city remains in Stage 1 water restrictions. Non-potable water stations will be opened for residents and businesses to pick up free river water during the conservation measures.
City officials have assured residents that they will have continued access to water throughout the repair work, despite the Stage 4 water restrictions. While acknowledging that this may be a hardship, residents are urged to use water wisely during this time. The city will provide updates on the progress of the Bearspaw feeder main repairs on a regular basis, with the next update expected on Thursday. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about any changes or impacts related to the construction work. Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp emphasized the importance of assessing the impact of construction on residents and ensuring that information is shared in a timely and transparent manner.
