The city of Calgary has provided an important update on the ongoing repairs following a catastrophic water main break and offered guidance on water consumption for residents.
Significant Drop in Water Consumption
“Way to go Calgary! Water consumption was down 9% from June 7-8,” the city announced on its official social media account. This reduction is a positive step amid the current water crisis.
Impact of the Water Main Break
The severe water main break in Bowness on the evening of Wednesday, June 5, has led city officials to activate the Municipal Emergency Plan and enforce Level 4 outdoor watering restrictions, alongside voluntary indoor water use limitations. This break has disrupted a vital water main supplying water across Calgary, causing significant challenges for the city.
Repair Efforts
The city also shared a video showcasing repair crews working diligently to fix the massive water pipe. The efforts are ongoing to restore normal water supply and mitigate the impact of this significant disruption.
Recommended Actions for Residents
To help manage the water crisis, Calgary officials have issued specific do’s and don’ts for residents to follow:
Do’s:
- Dishwasher and Washing Machine: Use only when necessary and ensure full loads.
- Showers and Baths: Limit showers to three minutes or less and keep baths shallow if possible, especially for those without mobility challenges.
- Household Appliances: Turn off humidifiers, ice machines, and automatic sprinkler systems.
- Food Preparation: Scrape plates clean instead of rinsing, and wash vegetables and fruit in a partially filled sink or pot before rinsing them quickly.
- Drinking Water: Keep a jug of drinking water in the fridge to avoid running the tap for cold water.
- Personal Hygiene: Turn off the tap when brushing teeth or shaving.
Don’ts:
- Outdoor Watering: Refrain from watering lawns, gardens, flowers, trees, and shrubs using city water.
- Outdoor Cleaning: Avoid washing any outdoor surfaces, including buildings, windows, sidewalks, driveways, or walkways, unless necessary for health and safety reasons.
- Decorative Features: Do not fill outdoor decorative features, fountains, pools, or hot tubs.
- Construction Use: Avoid using water for construction purposes such as grading, compaction, or dust control.
Looking Ahead
As Calgary navigates through this water crisis, the cooperation of residents in reducing water consumption and adhering to the recommended guidelines is crucial. Continued updates from the city will provide further information on the progress of repairs and any changes to water use restrictions.