Update on Calgary indoor water-use measures expected Tuesday as stabilization work continues
The City of Calgary expects to have an update Tuesday on when indoor water-use reduction measures could be eased as work continues to stabilize the city’s water infrastructure.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said stabilization work began on Sunday.
“This includes adjusting the rest of the water network back to regular service, as we’ve been running mainly from the Glenmore Treatment Plant,” Gondek said during a Monday morning update.
The mayor noted, however, that the stabilization stage is the riskiest, as crews slowly turn on valves to connect the feeder main to the rest of the water network and turn on pumps at the Bowness water treatment facility.
“During this stabilization step that we are in, Calgary is at the greatest risk of another break or a major disruption of service,” Gondek said.
“If we go too fast, this could overstress the system. This could cause leaks or breaks. That’s why we’re being so incredibly cautious and taking things very slowly.”
The Bearspaw feeder main is now back in service and has been reconnected to the rest of the city’s water distribution system.
The amount of water flowing through the feeder main is being slowly increased as crews monitor for additional leaks or breaks.
“We’ve been using acoustic and pressure monitors to closely watch system performance, and so far, we have not heard any indications of further issues with the feeder main,” Michael Thompson, the city’s general manager of infrastructure services said during an afternoon update on Monday.
The city will continue to monitor the pipe and increase the flow accordingly.
Thompson said while the water service restoration progress is moving in a positive direction, water conservation measures still need to continue for the time being.
The next update from the city will begin a little bit later on Tuesday – 10:30 a.m. – to gather as much data as possible before presenting the next steps.
While the city is not yet in a place to lift outdoor water restrictions or the fire ban, the overnight monitoring will inform when the indoor reduction measures could be eased.
“After we ease indoor water saving measures, we will need to let the system stabilize more before we announce any changes to our outdoor water restrictions,” Thompson said.
On Sunday, the mayor said water samples sent to Alberta Health Services for testing met and exceeded quality standards, making way for the final stabilization stage.
Calgarians used 425 million litres of water on Sunday – an all-time low during this water crisis, according to Gondek.
Some Calgarians – particularly in the Parkdale area – may have noticed cloudiness in their tap water on Sunday. The city says this was a temporary, asethetic condition and water remains safe to drink.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada issues travel warning as Hurricane Beryl tears through southeast Caribbean
As Hurricane Beryl rips toward the southeast Caribbean, Global Affairs Canada is warning travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Jamaica as well as several countries in the region.
Is Greece's six-day work week an option in Canada? An expert weighs in
As some Canadian companies explore offering staff a four-day work week, experts are watching Greece's move closely and suggest it could work in Canada.
Canadian feels 'abandoned' in Mexico after WestJet strike
More than 1,100 WestJet flights and counting have been cancelled since last Thursday, when a strike by the airlines mechanics union grounded travel plans for more than 100,000 customers.
Trudeau focused on governing, fighting right-wing populism following byelection loss
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he's been taking calls from different members of his Liberal caucus following the party's historic byelection loss in a downtown Toronto riding last week, but his focus remains on governing.
Hudson's Bay Co. to purchase U.S. department store Neiman Marcus: reports
Hudson's Bay Co. has reached a deal to buy luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, according to media reports.
Nearly four out of 10 Ontarians considering leaving due to cost of housing: survey
Nearly four out of 10 Ontarians say that they are considering leaving the province due to the high cost of housing, a new survey has found.
The son of Asia's richest man is getting married in one of India's most anticipated — and lavish — weddings of the year
Billionaire heir Anant Ambani is set to marry his longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant later this month, in a lavish ceremony widely described as the country's wedding of the year.
1 dead, 2 injured after helicopter crash near B.C.-Alberta border
One person was killed and two others were injured in a helicopter crash near the B.C.-Alberta border on Tuesday evening, according to the RCMP.
DEVELOPING Hurricane Beryl roars by Jamaica after killing at least 6 people in the southeast Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl was roaring by Jamaica Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rain after the powerful Category 4 storm earlier killed at least six people and caused significant damage in the southeast Caribbean.