Calgarians can now use water 'as they regularly would' indoors
Calgary's mayor has given citizens the go-ahead to begin using water inside their homes as they normally would.
"I am incredibly pleased to share indoor water use can now return to regular, back to normal, and we look forward to slowly restoring outdoor use," Jyoti Gondek said on Tuesday,
Though indoor water usage has been fully restored, Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions remain in place, including a fire ban.
"Today is a very big day," Gondek said. "I am pleased to let you know we are one giant step closer to restoring full water usage to all of you."
Gondek says it’s expected city officials will be able to lift Calgary’s local state of emergency later this week, if all continues to go well.
"The lifting of indoor water conservation efforts doesn't mean everyone should take a shower, flush all the toilets, do all their laundry and wash their vehicles all at the same time," cautioned Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) chief Sue Henry.
"Help us return to normal by running laundry and dishwashers a bit at a time, as full loads, so we don't overwork the system. Let's ease back into this together."
In addition to returning to normal water usage inside homes, Calgary businesses can now return to normal usage.
Henry said Tuesday that showers at City of Calgary facilities have reopened, arenas will reopen at 4 p.m., the majority of indoor pools will open on Wednesday and swimming lessons will return then as well.
Infrastructure services general manager Michael Thompson acknowledged the milestone is an exciting one for Calgarians who have been practicing water conservation in their homes and at their businesses.
"The Bearspaw South feeder main is now back in service for the first time since June 5," he said.
"It is operating at 50 per cent capacity as we continue to stabilize the system, and we need to reduce the demand we have placed on the Glenmore water treatment plant over the last month.
"We need Calgarians' support to avoid providing too much strain on the system."
The mayor took a moment at Tuesday's morning update to thank residents for their help during the water crisis.
"I am in awe of the work that all of you did for the last 26 days," Gondek said.
"For almost an entire month, you have gone above and beyond to keep our water usage low, and you ensured that we had safe drinking water during this crisis, and that our firefighters, doctors and nurses were never without the water they needed to do their jobs, and I cannot thank you enough for every action you have taken."
Alberta's Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver also thanked Calgarians for their efforts to conserve water.
"Your resilience and understanding have been indispensable," he said.
Though he warned Calgarians aren't "completely out of the woods yet," he said times like these "truly remind us what community is all about."
Calgarians are reminded that while turbidity has improved and will continue to improve, water may still be cloudy.
Despite this, officials say water is "meeting and exceeding" the city's water quality standards.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Britain's Labour on track for landslide victory, exit poll suggests, amid anger with Conservatives
Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory in a parliamentary election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval.
'Ford's dry summer begins': LCBO workers set to strike Friday after talks fall apart
Thousands of employees with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario are set to walk off their jobs on Friday as the union says 'talks have broken down' and it is not hopeful that a deal will be reached to avert a strike.
Saskatchewan has the lowest hourly minimum wage. How does it stack up to the rest of Canada?
Hourly minimum wages increased in several Canadian provinces this spring with more on the horizon, which economists say will likely impact workers and businesses differently.
Trying to sell or buy a home this summer? What a realtor says you should know
In the first few weeks of summer, the real estate sector is experiencing an upturn marked by more housing inventory, a Canadian realtor says
Canada to host the 70th annual NATO session in Montreal
Canada will host the 70th annual session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly from Nov. 22 to 25 in Montreal, Que.
No Frills grocery stores drop 'multi-buy' offer
As receipts tick ever higher for Canadians at the grocery store and shoppers continue to search for savings, one Canadian grocer has ended a perceived deal.
CSIS director David Vigneault stepping down after seven years on the job
David Vigneault says he is stepping down from his job at the head of Canada’s spy agency. The director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, who spent seven years at the helm, is leaving the public service altogether.
Hurricane Beryl churns toward Mexico after leaving destruction in Jamaica and eastern Caribbean
After leaving a trail of destruction across the eastern Caribbean and at least nine people dead, Hurricane Beryl weakened as it chugged over open water toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday, going from the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic to Category 2 by the afternoon.
Son asks court to sell B.C. home he co-owns with his mother, despite her objections
A B.C. judge has ordered the sale of a Surrey home despite the objections of the woman who lives there, who owns it jointly with her son.