Enforcement is the next option for Calgarians not adhering to the outdoor watering restrictions, as the City isn’t seeing the drop in water consumption needed to preserve the water supply.

On Wednesday, Calgary and its water partners used 494 million litres of water, down less than one per cent of Tuesday’s consumption of 497, according to Infrastructure Services GM Michael Thompson. It’s still 44 million litres above the 450 million litre safe threshold the City wants to hit.

Thompson said Wednesday was a cold and rainy day in Calgary. According to data collected from Environment and Climate Change Canada, roughly 20 millimetres fell in the city on Wednesday. 

Education teams were out today to remind people of the Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions, he said.

“To their amazement, they came across dozens of homes and businesses that had automatic irrigation systems running this morning,” he said.  

“I cannot stress enough that we simply do not have the water available right now for people to water their lawns, gardens and plants using treated water.”

Thompson said that starting today, they have increased their presence in communities around Calgary to support compliance checks where home or business outdoor sprinklers are running.

“I would like to remind you that the fine for outdoor watering is $3,000.

“Again, please go and check your automatic sprinkler systems and make sure they’re turned off. This is an easy way to reduce our water use across the city.”

Thompson thanked those folks who have made changes to their routine in order to accommodate a voluntary 25 per cent decrease in their water use while the Bearspaw feeder main repairs are underway.

It’s expected that Calgary will remain in Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions through September. Under these rules, Calgarians and citizens in their water sharing areas are not allowed to use treated water for outdoor use.

How long will the water last?

According to Francois Bouchart, director of capital priorities and investments, there are currently eight work sites along the feeder main where there are 21 pipe segment repairs.

Work has started on sites one through four, with sites five through eight beginning on Sept. 5, Bouchart said.

“For the site groupings with similar schedules, repair construction has five milestone stages, and we’re tracking to indicate progress of our concrete encasement and repair approach,” Bouchart said.  

“The first one is excavation, followed by encasing the pipe with concrete. Then we let the concrete cure, then we remove the forms for the concrete, and we backfill and pave. We have to repeat these five stages at each of the 21 segments, and all 21 need to be completed before we can start the process to re-pressurize the feeder main.”

The question was raised around how many days of water the City of Calgary has should demand not decline to the 450 million litre safe threshold. Bouchart said that people likely think that it’s a simple question. It’s dependent on the steps Calgarians take to reduce water demand.

“If we started having outdoor watering throughout the city, then our demand would go up, and obviously drain the time, the number of days to get to the point where our reservoirs would be empty would be much shorter,” he said.

“So, it’s very difficult for us to provide you with a single number. It really is a balance of supply and demand.”

Bouchart also addressed concerns that people weren’t aware that there were outdoor watering restrictions going on right now.

He said they’re using mobile signs, information on social media and doing the media availabilities to reach as many Calgarians as they can.

“Some of the messaging is also being translated in different languages so that that message goes out to all Calgarians,” he said.