Calgary using water 'at an unsustainable rate,' officials say
Crews are still working 24 hours a day to repair issues along Calgary's Bearspaw feeder main and, after consistently pushing past the limit on water use for several days, officials moved the mark.
Unfortunately, announcing the new limit hasn't done much good as water use on Tuesday was 506 million litres – up 1 million litres from Monday.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Francois Bouchart, the City of Calgary's director of capital priorities and investment, said the system is running at maximum capacity.
"We are using water at an unsustainable rate," he said. "We are stretching it beyond what is reasonable for long periods of time."
Bouchart said the system has suffered some problems.
"Over the past couple of days, we've had two issues. One was a pump failure and the other was a component in our treatment process."
Bouchart said crews resolved the issues quickly, but if more of them occur, the city may not be able to provide as much water to residents and businesses as it should be able to.
The City of Calgary has released updated water use data on Sept. 4, along with more details about what the system can and can't handle over the next three weeks of repairs. (Supplied)
'Important to reduce demand'
Now that Calgary is heading into another stretch of hot weather, Bouchart said it is time to really focus on conserving water.
"As we enter into hotter temperatures over the next few days, it is important to reduce demand as much as we can," he said.
Bouchart said 11 tickets for non-compliance to Calgary's Stage 4 water restrictions have been given out – seven to residences and four to commercial properties.
"Since the beginning of the repairs, we have received over 1,000 complaints," Bouchart said, adding that bylaw officers are following up.
He also urged everyone to do everything they can to reduce their indoor water use and to stop using potable water outside immediately.
"Despite the additional capacity we have created, we still need to save water and stay within the sustainable zone to get us through the repairs."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. to open 'highly secure' involuntary care facilities
B.C. will be opening “highly secure facilities” for people with addiction and mental health issues in the province, officials said Sunday.
Trump's campaign says candidate is safe after gunshots were reported in his vicinity in Florida
Donald Trump's campaign says he is safe after gunshots were reported in his vicinity Sunday afternoon in Florida.
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.
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.
TIFF audience prizes for 'Life of Chuck,' Hip doc; Rankin among Canadian winners
'The Life of Chuck,' an offbeat film by writer-director Mike Flanagan, wins the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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.
Air Canada deal avoids shutdown, brings relief to passengers and business groups
Travellers, business groups and politicians expressed fervent relief on Sunday after Air Canada and the union representing thousands of its pilots negotiated a new labour deal and averted a disruptive, countrywide shutdown.
U.S. says claims of CIA plot to kill Maduro are 'categorically false' after Venezuela arrests six foreigners
The U.S. State Department has rejected claims of CIA involvement in an alleged plot to kill Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro, after Venezuelan authorities said they had arrested six foreigners, including a U.S. Navy SEAL.
What are your rights as a neighbour in Canada?
If you have beef with your neighbour and you feel it's gone too far, what should you do? A personal injury lawyer has some advice.