Calgary residents must use 25% less water than yesterday

After a major water main break left Calgary’s water supply in critical condition, city officials are asking Calgarians to cut their water use by 25 percent, warning the city is at risk of running out of water.

Bearspaw’s south water main, which is seven miles long and two feet wide in places, burst Wednesday night, leaving hundreds of homes and businesses in the northwest part of the city without water.

Just before 7 p.m. Wednesday, the spill caused streets in the Montgomery neighborhood around Home Road to suddenly flood, forcing the closure of several roads and intersections in both directions, including 16th Avenue.

In a press release sent out Friday morning, the city said it hopes emergency services will be able to determine the cause of the rupture on Friday.

During a news conference Friday morning at the city’s emergency operations centre, Nancy Mackay, the city’s director of water services, said Calgarians were able to reduce their water use during the day on Thursday, but the city’s water use spiked again in the evening hours as people returned home from work.

“Current water usage cannot continue,” Mackay said.

“If we do not further reduce our water consumption, we run the risk of running out of water.”

The Stage 4 water restrictions remain in place and the city continues to enforce a mandatory ban on outdoor watering. Officials are also asking Calgarians to limit their non-essential water use by taking these additional measures:

• Limit the number of showers and keep baths shallow.

• Postpone the use of appliances that use water, such as dishwashers and washing machines.

• Turn off humidifiers and ice makers.

• Turn off the water tap when not in use.

• Reducing water usage in any way that is safe.

When asked about the potential need for mandatory restrictions on indoor water use, Mackay said the city is still only asking Calgarians to “limit water use where they can.”

“The one thing we know for sure about the people of Calgary is that they are committed.”

A boil water advisory remains in place for the community of Bowness. The boil water advisory requires all residents and businesses in Bowness to boil water for at least one minute before consuming it, including:

The city has placed nine water trucks at the following locations in the Bowness area:

• 4527 77 St. NW (Bowness Community Association)

• 5927 Bowness Rd. NW (Bow Crest Nursing Home).

• 7311 34 Ave. NW (Our Lady of the Assumption School).

• 4631 85 St. NW (on 85th Street next to Belvedere Parkway School).

• 7915 43 Ave. NW (Bow Center Senior Home).

• 2003 46 St. NW (James Shouldice Manor, entrance between school and mansion on 47th Street.

• 82 Juniper Dr. NW

• 4628 Montgomery Blvd. NW (Bow View Manor Nursing Home).

• 6540 Bowness Rd. NW (on 65th Street NW next to Bowness Car Wash).

A major water main break in northwest Calgary has left the city’s water supply in critical condition, officials say. (Colleen Underwood/CBC)

The citywide burning ban is still in effect.

On Friday morning, municipal officials attended eight reports of fires and 56 reports of water misuse.

“What we saw on a lot of calls yesterday is people were not aware,” said Sue Henry, director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) during Friday’s press conference.

Henry says the city will continue to take an educational approach.

The Trans-Canada Highway remains closed eastbound between Sarcee Trail and Home Road NW. The highway is also closed westbound between Home Road and 49th Street NW.

According to the city’s website, the closure will last until Monday morning.

“This is a huge breach that cannot be repaired in a day or two,” Mackay said.

“Just as we came together during the floods of 2013, we need everyone to do their part.”