Calgary turning on another water pump at Bearspaw plant
City will look at removing restrictions further if all goes well
The City of Calgary is turning on an additional pump at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant on Wednesday and will be monitoring the key feeder main over the next few days for any new problems.
The news came in an afternoon update from Francois Bouchart, the City of Calgary's director of capital priorities and investment.
"If this goes well, it could help us get to 75 per cent flow through the feeder main," Bouchart said. "As in the past, we will monitor the system for a few days, constantly watching pressure, listening for wire snaps, and tracking water demand.
"This monitoring will help inform our decision about whether to lift water restrictions further."
The city used about 631 million litres of water on Tuesday, down from 639 million litres on Monday. That was expected as Calgary moved from Stage 2 to Stage 1 outdoor water use restrictions.
Bouchart notes maintenance work at both the Bearspaw and Glenmore water treatment plants is now complete, and both plants are "continuing to operate well."
Bouchart will provide another update at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Calgary has been experiencing ongoing water supply issues that were triggered by a catastrophic failure in the Bearspaw south feeder main on June 5.
On Tuesday, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced the move down to Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions.
Under Stage 1 outdoor water use restrictions, the use of sprinklers and in-ground sprinkling systems are permitted for longer periods.
Residents are now allowed to water using those methods for up to two hours per week but still must follow the city's watering schedule — even number addresses are permitted to water on Wednesday or Saturday, and odd number addresses are allowed to water Thursday or Sunday.
Up to two hours of watering with sprinklers and in-ground systems is allowed between these hours, according to the city's website:
- 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Just like in Stage 2, you can use a hose with a trigger nozzle at any time," said Gondek.
Under Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions, the following water-related activities remain prohibited:
- Washing driveways and sidewalks.
- Washing vehicles in the driveway or street.
- Washing windows or exterior building surfaces, unless it's done by a business licensed to do so.
- Filling fountains and decorative water features. Bird baths, however, are allowed.
Other water main breaks now fixed
Bouchart addressed an additional water main break during Wednesday afternoon's news conference at City Hall.
He said the water main break along 15th Avenue S.W. that was affecting 500 homes and 10 businesses was fixed and water was restored last night.
Officials have previously said the water team did expect to see more breaks as the water distribution system was being stabilized across much of the city.
Bowness Road N.W. completely reopened Tuesday after a water main break in that area occurred Friday.
Calgary is actively working on a long-term rehabilitation plan for the feeder main.
The results of the PipeDiver inspection are expected at the end of the month and will be incorporated into the plan.
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With files from Lily Dupuis