Water restrictions return to Calgary Monday as work begins to reinforce sections of the city’s beleaguered feeder main pipe in the northwest.
Calgarians are being asked to conserve at least 25 litres of water per day through three-minute showers, less toilet flushes, and only running the dishwasher or laundry machine when there’s a full load.
Stage four restrictions are expected to last for one month.
The city says restrictions are necessary to take pressure off the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant, which will be running at full capacity while the Bearspaw is shut down.
This is the third time the city has imposed water use limits in two years due to the faulty pipe, which carries 60 per cent of the Calgary’s water supply, and also feeds to surrounding communities.
During recent shutdowns, target water usage has sat at 485 million litres per day. This time around, the threshold is a bit higher — city officials are aiming to keep use at 500 million litres or less.
The restrictions mean all outdoor use is prohibited, with a few exceptions. A list of restrictions can be found here.
Crews are working on nine segments of the pipe to support operations and stability while a new pipe is constructed.
This includes reinforcing six sections of the pipe that are experiencing enhanced levels of deterioration along 16 Avenue NW near Sarcee Trail, where four new wire snaps were found last week.
Other work being completed during the spring shutdown includes: replacing the valves on the feeder main near the Shaganappi Pump Station, inspecting of the steel pipe connection to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant, and replacement of valves at 33 Avenue and 89 Street, which will help control how water moves between the feeder main and the smaller distribution system.
WATCH: City of Calgary opens community resource centre as water restrictions begin
The city has set up a resource centre for residents of Bowness and Montgomery who will be directly affected by construction to speak with officials and ask questions.
“Their need for face-to-face contact is so critical especially as we think about the urgency of the water restrictions, the conservation measures that we’re bringing in, but also some of the mitigation of construction and community and business impact,” Mayor Jeromy Farkas said Monday.
It is located at the Bowness Community Association at 7904 43 Ave NW.
The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.