Sites have now been opened for Calgarians to pick up non-potable water and water main repairs stay on pace for a July 5 fix, Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Sunday.
In her morning update, Mayor Gondek said that Calgary’s in for another warm day and for those people who haven’t been able to collect rainwater for plants or gardens, there’s a new option.
The City of Calgary has created two access points to allow Calgarians to take river water for their yards. These access points are at Baker Park and the Ogden boat launch – the same locations as the construction water fill, but with a different access point in that area.
“It’s a temporary fix, and it’s not intended for large-scale water collection, but just as a short-term solution, so you can get some water to your gardens and to your plants,” the mayor said.
“A reminder that this is river water. It’s non-potable. It has not been treated, so it’s not safe for consumption. So please, if you are coming by to fill up containers, only use this for your plants and your gardens, not for drinking purposes.”
The City had opened up the sites for construction and landscaping services on Friday, to ensure that those businesses had enough water to continue their work through a short season.
Mayor Gondek said they hope to expand the number of locations across the city in the coming days. That was done in Sunday’s afternoon update. They announced that river water could be picked up at Bishop O’Byrne High School, the Genesis Centre, Ambrose University and the Spy Hill Landfill.
“We know that outdoor water restrictions have been tough, especially for those who garden. We’ve asked you to avoid taking water from the river to ensure your safety,” said Calgary Emergency Management Agency Deputy Chief Coby Duerr.
“We don’t want people slipping on rocks while carrying heavy buckets of water. That’s why, as of noon today, we are bringing the river closer to you.”
Duerr acknowledged the sites did not have water available right at noon Sunday, frustrating some Calgarians, however that has since been remedied.
Repair work continues
Workers are completing the welding on adapters for the new steel sections of the pipe to connect with the existing pipe. On Saturday, Infrastructure Services GM Michael Thompson said that was the focus for this weekend.
“The damaged sections of pipe have now been removed and taken off-site for further forensic investigation. All necessary materials required for the repairs have arrived on-site today,” said Thompson.
In Sunday afternoon’s update, Thompson said in the one section where they aren’t replacing pipe, the reinforcing steel was put in on Friday and Saturday, and the concrete placement was poured Saturday and is now curing.
Work has also been completed on the repaving of 16 Avenue NW, at the site of the first water feeder main break. That’s allowed for the reopening of the TransCanada Highway.
The mayor reiterated that repair work is on schedule for a July 5 finish, so Calgarians must only endure water restrictions for another two weeks.
“Those of you in households and businesses who are making decisions, both big and small, everything that you’re doing to conserve water matters,” she said, noting Saturday’s water use was 451 million litres.
“It matters that you all care about your part in this, and it matters that you understand the ways in which you can save water.”
The mayor suggested an upside to the water conservation actions when Calgarians opened up their June water bill and compared it with the prior month. Calgary homes are on water meters that charge by the amount of water used.
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you were able to accomplish. It’ll be a nice little reminder of the part that you played in making sure that we all have access to a safe water supply, even in this emergency situation.
