Calgary water use stays under cap as pipe work enters week 2

Calgary and neighbouring communities used 473 million litres of water on Tuesday and 475 million on Wednesday, staying under the 500-million-litre daily limit as work to connect the new Bearspaw South Feeder Main enters its second week, the City of Calgary said Nov. 12.

The figures leave a cushion of about 25 million litres, or roughly five per cent, below the cap. The city’s chart for Nov. 8 to 11 shows use of 487 million litres on both Sunday and Monday before the dip. Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation have all stayed in what the city calls the green zone since restrictions began.

The city says keeping use below 500 million litres helps maintain enough water to fight fires, keeps pressure steady to reduce the risk of a city-wide boil water advisory, and protects the system from failures that could leave homes and businesses without water.

Crews are working at three locations where the new feeder main will tie into the system. Near the Shaganappi Pump Station, excavation is substantially complete and the tie-in pipe is exposed. At 33 Avenue and 89 Street N.W., excavation is complete and crews are preparing to install a new valve. Beginning Saturday, Nov. 14, the city expects to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week for about two weeks at that site until the connection is finished. At 83 Street N.W., excavation is complete and pipe installation has started.

Crews are also using the shutdown to repair a smaller segment of pipe between the Shaganappi and Memorial pump stations along Parkdale Boulevard N.W., where excavation is under way or complete at all work areas.

The traffic detour on 83 Street N.W. moves Thursday from 34 Avenue to 33 Avenue N.W. Single-lane alternating traffic and pedestrian detours are in place, and drivers cannot turn west onto 33 Avenue N.W. from 83 Street N.W.

“Thank you to everyone for your water-saving actions, they make a big difference,” the city said in its release, adding that it hopes to keep the streak going through the next three weeks of work.

The restrictions were announced in October. Our earlier coverage explains that Stage 4 outdoor restrictions began Nov. 4 for about four weeks, with no outdoor water use allowed. The city has also faced scrutiny over its system, after an Alberta report found the water system long mismanaged. After the connection, crews must disinfect and test the new pipe, a process the city has said takes two to three weeks.

Updates and tips for residents and businesses are on the City of Calgary newsroom and at calgary.ca/savewater.

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