City raises water-use threshold but asks Calgarians to conserve again
As people get back into routine, the city is asking them to pivot once again to conserve water during feeder main repairs, but it seems Calgarians aren't as eager this time.
Water use spiked on Labour Day, with residents and businesses using 505 million litres – up from 473 million.
That was over the target of 450 million litres per day, which the city has now raised to 485 million, saying it's found a way to improve water distribution.
"We have a complex water network with over 5,000 kilometres of pipe, and many underground storage reservoirs or underground tanks where we store treated drinking water prior to pumping it to homes and businesses," said Michael Thompson, the city's director of infrastructure services.
Thompson says crews have been able to reconfigure existing pumps to reroute the flow of water, bumping up the amount that can be safely used.
"The team tried a new configuration to move water throughout the city and has been testing it for the last number of days," Thompson said.
"We have now finished testing this configuration, and the team is confident that it is a sustainable solution for the remainder of the repair work."
People in Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere and Tsuut'ina Nation are asked to flush less and to take shorter showers and shallow baths.
The city says operating above the threshold could put firefighting and medical services at risk.
More than 500 million a day is "simply not sustainable," Thompson said.
"Every day that we're over 500 million litres a day, we reduce our capacity for storage in our underground tanks and we put the system at more risk."
The first round of Stage 4 restrictions lasted 27 days.
Calgary's water use is starting higher this time, and there are still about three more weeks to go.
Experts say while everyone is tired of conserving water, it is in everyone's best interest.
"As tired as people are, 25 per cent reduction means three less flushes a day, which is far less disruptive than a boil water advisory for who knows how long," said Tricia Stadnyk, hydrology expert at the Schulich School of Engineering.
The city says heat waves come with water-use spikes in the city.
Calgary just got out of a heat warning and likely will be there again later this week.
While sprinklers and wading pools are out, there is still the river, as well as many indoor places to cool down including swimming pools, libraries and movie theatres.
Construction on the feeder line is on schedule to be completed by Sept. 23.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada, pilots reach tentative deal, averting work stoppage
Passengers with plans to fly on Canada's largest airline can breathe a sigh of relief after Air Canada said Sunday it has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing more than 5,200 of its pilots.
'The Life of Chuck' wins the TIFF People's Choice Award
'The Life of Chuck,' an offbeat film by writer-director Mike Flanagan, wins the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Canada's Eugene and Dan Levy set to become first father-son duo to host Emmys
The stars and co-creators of CBC's 'Schitt's Creek' take the reins as several Canadians compete for trophies, including D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and Martin Short.
Tuesday's Lotto Max draw set to hit all-time Canadian record of $80 million after no Friday winner
In a Canadian lotto first, the national Lotto Max jackpot has reached an estimated $80 million prize.
They came from Jamaica for work, now they're homeless and out thousands of dollars in lost wages
Abuse of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program has left a group of carpenters from Jamaica 'destitute' after an Ottawa company refused to pay them for nearly half a year of work.
New evidence upends contentious Easter Island theory, scientists say
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, never experienced a ruinous population collapse, according to an analysis of ancient DNA from 15 former inhabitants of the remote island in the Pacific Ocean.
Montreal bars, restaurants react to Quebec bill to regulate merchant tipping requests
Quebec tabled a bill on Thursday that would regulate how merchants determine suggested tips, forcing businesses to calculate them based on the price before tax. Restaurant staff and management are divided on the policy.
Queen Victoria's favourite Tuscan villa for sale for more than US$55 million
Once a favoured holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and reputedly described in one of the greatest works of Italian literature, the Villa Palmieri is steeped in history and could now be yours – if you have more than €50 million (US$55 million) lying around.
Liberals will let Conservatives hold non-confidence vote 'fairly soon', no intention of proroguing Parliament
The Liberals have no intention of using procedural tactics to delay the Conservatives' promised non-confidence motion, and they have no plans to prorogue Parliament to hold onto power, according to Government House Leader Karina Gould.