Calgary officials plan to start easing water restrictions early next week, with ongoing conservation efforts expected to resume in the spring for necessary pipe repairs. Michael Thompson, Calgary’s infrastructure services general manager, stated that the Bearspaw south feeder main has been replaced, and efforts are underway to fill it with water equivalent to nine Olympic-sized swimming pools before undergoing quality testing.
Thompson mentioned that refilling the seven-kilometer pipe requires about 22 million liters of water. The timeline for easing current water conservation measures is anticipated to be early next week, although the possibility of discovering additional breaks remains uncertain.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas emphasized the importance of continued water conservation, urging residents to save water for a few more days until the situation stabilizes. The officials highlighted the critical nature of the repair process and the need for additional pipe reinforcement in the upcoming spring, which will necessitate further water restrictions.
The city has been urging its 1.6 million residents to conserve water since the recent burst of the Bearspaw south feeder main on December 30. The incident, the second within a year and a half, has led to heightened water usage restrictions to ensure sufficient water supply for emergency services. Sue Henry of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency reported that Calgarians consumed 504 million liters of water the day before, emphasizing the importance of saving 25 to 30 liters per person daily.
Residents are advised to reduce water usage by minimizing flushing, shortening showers, and operating dishwashers and laundry machines only when full. As the new pipe fills with water, temporary changes in water pressure, a chlorine odor, or cloudy water may occur, but officials assure that these are normal and pose no health risks.
Farkas acknowledged residents’ frustrations but assured the public of swift efforts to restore the water system and implement long-term solutions to prevent similar issues in the future.
