Boil water advisory issued for 100 Calgary homes

About 100 homes in Calgary’s Eagle Ridge and Heritage Park neighbourhoods are under a boil water advisory after a pipe unexpectedly lost pressure during a water main repair, the City of Calgary said Friday.

Crews were repairing the water main on Oct. 16 when the pipe depressurized, the city said in a news release. It said it cannot guarantee water quality, and Alberta Health Services ordered the advisory as a precaution. The advisory took effect immediately and stays in place until further notice.

The city said the problem is not related to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, the large pipe project behind the Stage 4 water restrictions that start Nov. 4.

Residents in the affected area must bring all tap water to a rolling boil for one full minute before using it for drinking, coffee and tea, cooking, brushing teeth, washing raw food, making ice, or preparing infant formula or juice. The city said in-home water filters are not enough, so filtered water must be boiled too. Residents can buy bottled water instead for the length of the advisory.

Water used to clean surfaces or wash dishes should also be boiled if the home does not have a dishwasher. Bathing and laundry do not require boiling, the city said.

Water wagons are being provided, and locations are posted at calgary.ca/wateroutages, where the city will post updates.

All southbound lanes of 14th Street S.W. between 75 Avenue S.W. and Heritage Drive S.W. are closed until further notice. The city said crews are working extended hours over the weekend and will reopen a southbound lane as soon as possible.

Food service businesses, care providers and personal service facilities in the area should call Environmental Public Health at 1-833-476-4743 for direction. Residents with health questions or questions about boil water procedures can call Health Link at 811 or visit myhealth.alberta.ca.

The city said it is working with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and Alberta Health Services to resolve the water quality concerns. The release did not say when the advisory is expected to end.

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