Stage 4 of outdoor water restrictions comes into force today
Urgent repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main will begin this week. As of 12:01 a.m. this morning, Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions are in effect, meaning no outdoor water use is permitted. We are also urging all Calgarians, our regional partners and visitors to our city to reduce their indoor water use.
This is crucial to ensure that everyone has access to clean and safe drinking water.
As previously mentioned, we have conducted additional testing on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main to learn more about the condition of the line. We have deployed a device called a PipeDiver to inspect the entire length of the main and have discovered several new locations that require immediate repair. Other areas requiring attention can be addressed in our medium to long-term rehabilitation plans.
In order to complete the urgent repairs along 33 Avenue NW and 16 Avenue NW, we must take the Bearspaw South Feeder Main out of service. This will begin tomorrow, August 27, and continue through the end of September.
Although construction begins tomorrow, restrictions are in place today as there is a critical time frame in which we must reduce our water use to prepare for the decommissioning of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main.
Now that we are in Phase 4 of outdoor water restrictions, we can begin important work that could not be done before, such as adjusting valves, setting up water bypasses, and fine-tuning pump settings. This prep work needs to be done before we take the main out of service. Once this is done, we can safely drain the pipe and begin excavation.
Level 4: Restrictions on outdoor water use
Level 4 of the outdoor water restrictions prohibits the outdoor use of City of Calgary drinking water.
This means that the following is not allowed at any time:
- Use of sprinklers outdoors
- Use of hoses with spray nozzles
- Watering by hand, unless it is domestic water or rainwater
- Irrigation of new or existing lawns, gardens, flowers, trees, shrubs, turf or grass seeds with tap water
- Washing outdoor cars, windows, exterior surfaces of buildings, sidewalks, driveways or walkways
- Filling outdoor pools, whirlpools or paddling pools with tap water
- Filling fountains and other decorative elements
- Water use for construction purposes, including grading, compaction and dust control
- Application of pesticides or fertilizers that require the use of tap water
To support businesses and residents during Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions, the City will reopen non-potable river water pickup locations at designated times. Non-potable water will be available for pickup at three locations beginning August 26 at the following locations:
The opening hours for commercial use are daily from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and for private use Monday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Permitted essential uses:
- Companies that use water to provide life-sustaining products or services.
- Businesses that must use water to comply with health and safety regulations, such as hospitals, restaurants, animal care facilities and child care facilities.
For more information on Level 4 outdoor water restrictions and frequently asked questions, visit calgary.ca/savewater
Water saving tips for residents
Here are the top three things Calgary residents can do to significantly reduce their water consumption:
- Limit showering to 3 minutes or less: Reducing the length of a shower from five minutes to three minutes can save 20 liters of water, which is about the equivalent of one blue gallon jug per day. For a city of 1.4 million people, that’s a water saving of 1.4 million jugs per day.
- Only run the laundry and dishwasher when they are full: Washing machines are one of the biggest water consumers in your home. In addition to full loads, reduce the number of loads you wash per week.
- Toilet flush only when necessary: Every time you skip a flush, you save six gallons of water. In a city of 1.4 million people, that’s the equivalent of saving three Olympic-sized swimming pools, or about 450,000 five-gallon jugs per day.
Other actions:
- Turn off your water softener. This can save about 50 gallons of water per cycle. That’s the equivalent of saving about 10 of the blue 5-gallon water containers.
- Consider preparing meals that require little preparation, reusing cups throughout the day, and even using compostable dishes and cutlery.
- Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth, wash your face or shave.
Water saving tips for companies
We are calling on all businesses to reduce their water consumption by 25 percent without compromising on safety or quality. Here are some steps businesses can take to reduce their water consumption:
- Adjust and reduce building temperatures. Cooling can put a strain on our system. We urge commercial buildings to review and adjust water-based temperature control systems to ensure optimal indoor temperatures. The CSA’s acceptable range is 23-26°C.
- Repairing leaky faucets in kitchens, laundry rooms and toilets, dishwashers, etc.
- Collect rainwater and greywater for landscaping and potted plants
- Identify areas/processes to increase water efficiency in daily operations
- Wipe instead of wash and sweep instead of spray – review your cleaning practices to reduce or eliminate water consumption
- Work with employees to identify ways to minimize water use and loss during their work tasks
- Window cleaning may only be carried out by an approved company
Visit calgary.ca/savewateratwork for more information and business preparation resources.
enforcement
The community standards will take an educational approach to both businesses and homes, while Level 4 outdoor water restrictions will remain in effect. Continued non-compliance may result in fines starting at $3,000.
What happens if we exceed our consumption target of 450 million liters per day?
As Chris Huston, Manager of Drinking Water Distribution, explains on our Media update from August 20Our safe use target of 450 million litres of water per day takes into account the fact that the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant is operating at full capacity, which is not enough to meet all of the City’s needs alone, as well as the reduced output of the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant when the Bearspaw South Feeder Main is out of service for repairs.
If we use more than 450 MLD and demand exceeds the capacity of the system, our underground storage will eventually run out, causing a drop in water pressure. Maintaining adequate water pressure is essential for drinking water quality. Low water pressure can allow contaminants to enter the system, potentially causing a Recommendation: Boil waterA citywide boil water warning is possible if multiple underground reservoirs are depleted.
If a boil water advisory is issued, it may take several months before we have enough water available in the spring to safely flush and clean the system.
This scenario highlights the importance of Calgary residents working together to keep water usage within safe usage targets during the repair period.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. We are confident that as a community we can meet our safe consumption goal. You have already done a great job since the original disruption in June, and all of your collective efforts will go a long way toward reducing our water usage and ensuring a stable water supply throughout the winter.
