Calgary is facing several more days of work to fully restore the city’s water system following the ruptured Bearspaw feeder main. Officials provided details on Thursday about the ongoing repairs and testing that will extend into next week. Although the replacement pipe has been installed and crews are currently backfilling the hole, it remains uncertain when water restrictions will be lifted.
The next phase involves repaving the damaged section of 16th Ave. N.W. above the feeder main, with road work likely beginning over the weekend and anticipated to reopen to traffic by midweek. Concurrently, crews have initiated the gradual process of filling the pipe with water. General Manager of Infrastructure Services, Michael Thompson, emphasized the meticulous approach required for the subsequent restoration steps.
Initially, the city set a target of completing repairs within two weeks after the pipe burst on Dec. 30. However, uncertainties persist about meeting the deadline by next Tuesday, Jan. 13. The restoration timeline entails filling the replaced pipe with 22 million liters of water from the Bearspaw water treatment plant, a process that takes approximately 48 hours. Following this, water quality testing is necessary before stabilizing the water system’s pressure, with each step carrying potential risks and requiring careful monitoring.
To mitigate the risk of further flooding in case of another water main break, the city is implementing proactive measures. These include the removal of two sections of the Bow River flood barrier to prevent water entrapment in the community during potential breaks. Additionally, maintenance activities such as clearing catch basins and adjusting manhole covers aim to facilitate quicker water drainage if needed.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas emphasized the ongoing strain on the water system due to elevated usage levels, urging residents to reduce daily water consumption to ensure operational resilience. City statistics indicate that water usage surpassed sustainable levels on Wednesday, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts. Practical recommendations include shorter showers, minimizing flushes, and optimizing dishwasher and washing machine usage.
Notably, car wash businesses are not considered significant water consumers, as a substantial portion of their water usage is recycled. However, citizens are encouraged to refrain from unnecessary car washing during this period. The City of Calgary has issued a water supply alert, urging residents to conserve water intake and disseminating the message through various communication channels.
While critical alerts have not been warranted thus far, the city remains prepared to escalate communication efforts if necessary. Officials emphasize the importance of judiciously utilizing communication channels to ensure effective responses during emergencies.
