Calgary's indoor water use returns to normal after a month-long reduction due to a major water main break. Adam MacVicar has the full story.
Nearly a month after Calgary faced a water supply crisis, Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced some “much-needed good news” on Tuesday. Citizens can now resume normal indoor water usage, though the mayor urged everyone to "ease" into this increased consumption.
“Today is a very big day,” said Gondek at a press conference, joined by Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver and Michael Thompson, the City of Calgary’s general manager of infrastructure services. “We are one giant step closer to restoring full water usage to all of you.”
While the city never officially restricted indoor water use, officials had been asking Calgarians to conserve water indoors to prevent the supply from running out. On Tuesday, the water supply alert for Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, and Strathmore was lifted. However, outdoor water use restrictions and a fire ban are still in effect.
Gondek explained that the Bearspaw feeder main, which was severely damaged on June 5, is now functioning at 50% capacity. “The reductions you have been doing at home are not needed anymore, so you can return to using water inside your home the way that you were used to,” she said. However, she advised residents to gradually increase their water usage to ensure a stable supply.
This water crisis had also led to restrictions in nearby municipalities that depend on Calgary's water supply. Although Tuesday’s announcement brings some relief, the city still faces challenges.
Thompson called the announcement an “exciting milestone” but emphasized the need for residents to gradually return to normal water usage to avoid overloading the system. The announcement comes just before the start of the Calgary Stampede, an event that attracts many tourists. Gondek reassured that data shows water usage typically increases in July, but not necessarily during the Stampede, as many residents go on vacation. Tourists will be encouraged to conserve water during their stay.
A state of local emergency remains in effect, with no timeline for lifting outdoor water restrictions. McIver noted that the crisis has been a significant and unexpected expense, and he expects the city to seek financial assistance from the province.
During a second press conference, Gondek, along with Sue Henry from the Calgary Emergency Management Agency and Francois Bouchart, the city’s director of capital priorities and investment, shared updates. Henry expressed excitement about lifting indoor water conservation requests but advised continued caution with water use to prevent straining the system.
The northwest water main break last month led to outdoor water use restrictions due to concerns about supply until repairs were completed. The repair work revealed more issues than initially anticipated, with five additional weak spots found in the pipeline. Crews have started pressurizing the repaired water main following several days of testing.
On Monday, Gondek announced that water tested by Alberta Health Services after the repairs exceeded quality guidelines. However, she warned that the pressurization step carries risks, so the process will be slow. By Tuesday, turbidity levels in the city’s water supply were decreasing and trending positively. Bouchart assured that even if the water appears cloudy, it is safe to drink.
Plans for an independent review to investigate the cause of June’s massive water main break are set to be discussed by the City of Calgary’s infrastructure and planning committee on Wednesday. McIver emphasized the importance of water infrastructure, stating, “The pipe that was supposed to last 100 years lasted 50.
