Calgary Water Feeder Main Repairs Underway Amid Record Water Usage
Progress is being made on Calgary’s broken water feeder main ahead of the Canada Day long weekend, but the city’s mayor cautions that challenges remain. Mayor Jyoti Gondek provided an update Friday morning, highlighting that Calgarians set a new water usage record of 500 million litres on Thursday since the crisis began over three weeks ago.
Concerns Over High Water Usage
CEMA Chief Sue Henry echoed these concerns in the city’s afternoon update, emphasizing the potential risks to essential services like hospitals and firefighting capabilities. The safe threshold for water usage, set at 480 million litres, has been surpassed, prompting renewed calls for conservation.
Repair Progress and Challenges
The repair process for the major water pipeline involves several critical stages: filling, flushing, testing, and stabilizing. Mayor Gondek noted that crews are currently focused on the filling stage, which has taken longer than expected. Flushing of the pipe is scheduled to commence late Friday into Saturday morning, followed by comprehensive water testing.
Optimism Amidst Challenges
Despite delays in the filling stage, Water Services Director Nancy Mackay remains optimistic about completing repairs by July 1. Mayor Gondek emphasized the need for caution, reminding residents that the restoration of normal water service is still pending, urging continued water conservation efforts.
Community Impact in Edworthy Park
The impact of repairs extends to Edworthy Park, where pipes and fire hydrants are actively being flushed, leading to temporary closures of certain park areas. Mayor Gondek reassured residents that discoloured water observed during this process is a normal occurrence and measures are in place to minimize environmental impact, particularly concerning water quality in the Bow River.
Community Response and Restrictions
Despite ongoing Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions and a city-wide fire ban, community response has been pivotal. Nearly 3,000 calls reporting water misuse have been fielded, underscoring the community's awareness and compliance efforts amidst stringent regulations.
Continued Vigilance and Preparation
As the city prepares for Canada Day celebrations, including fireworks at Stampede Park, CEMA Chief Sue Henry emphasized the importance of adhering to the fire ban regulations. While sanctioned displays proceed under strict supervision, personal use of fireworks remains prohibited without proper authorization.
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