Calgary emergency officials removed certain aspects of outdoor water restrictions on Saturday as the city restores full water service following a feeder main break in June.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek told reporters the city has moved from stage four water restrictions to stage three restrictions. A fire ban that has been in place over the last several weeks has also been lifted.
Under stage three restrictions, residents can use watering cans or other containers to tend to lawns, gardens, shrubs and other outdoor plants, but they are not yet allowed to water them using a sprinkler or hose.
Washing vehicles at home or cleaning exterior windows is still not allowed under stage three, Gondek said. Under stage three, businesses can also use water for construction purposes, such as dust control, grading and compaction.
“We need to get through this one stage at a time,” she said. “We’re still in the post-op phase if we compare this to a medical procedure. The water system is up and walking, but it’s not ready to run yet.”
Gondek said the city will move to stage two restrictions, which would allow for more outdoor water use, once officials give them the green light.
It remains to be seen when the city will reach that stage, she said.
“While we are in stage three, we need to wait for the water system to get healthier before we can add any more stress to it,” Gondek said.
“You’ve done a great job of easing into your indoor water usage and I have every confidence that you will do the same with outdoor water usage as well.”
A massive feeder main carrying water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to about 60 per cent of the city broke on June 5 in the Montgomery neighbourhood of northwest Calgary.
In the weeks since the break, the city has been relying on water from the South Glenmore Treatment Plant, which is also supplying water to the other 40 per cent of the city.
Emergency crews have continually encouraged Calgarians to stop using water outdoors and reduce indoor water use by taking shorter showers, limiting loads of laundry and cutting back on flushing toilets.
Gondek noted how residents used 492 million litres of water on Friday, which she said is 18 per cent less water than what’s normally used around this time of year.
Calgary Emergency Management Agency chief Sue Henry said Saturday’s announcement to implement stage three restrictions is an important milestone in the city’s recovery from the water main break.
“We’ve said that we will bring you back to regular use in phases as the system becomes more stable,” she said.
“In future stages, we’ll add things like watering with a hose and sprinklers, but we’re just not there yet. We will get you back to service as soon as we are able.”
As Calgary prepares for warmer temperatures to sweep through the city, Henry said officials have given operational exemptions to stage three restrictions for public outdoor pools and spray parks so residents can beat the heat.
Many will be allowed to begin reopening on Saturday, she said, noting that city-owned spray parks should be open by 1 p.m. on Sunday.
“We still cannot allow everyone to fill up their own private backyard pool due to the amount of water that would be required,” Henry said.
“We know this is a disappointment for those who have a private pool, but we need to focus on what will provide a community benefit, especially given the public safety risk that comes from hot temperatures.”
A fire ban put in place for safety reasons has also been lifted. Henry said crews from the Calgary Fire Department are confident they have enough water supply to tackle emergencies.
Residents can now safely use things like propane and natural gas fire pits and barbeques.
As the city moves to stage three water restrictions, river water pickup locations will begin closing at 2 p.m. The Ogden location will remain open for commercial and industrial use. Street sweeping will also return to full operations starting Monday.
The move also means the municipal emergency plan will be deactivated and the emergency operations centre will stand down.
“Our water teams will remain working 24/7 to make sure we have safe quality drinking water and that we continue on the path to recovery and restoration of service,” Henry said.
Francois Bouchart, the city’s director of capital priorities and investments, said maintenance work at the South Glenmore Treatment Plant was completed Friday. Crews have also completed their inspection of the 11-kilometre feeder main at the Bearspaw plant.
Results from the inspection are expected in three to four weeks.
“After assessing the results, we’ll be using this data to inform if there’s further investigation or repair work needed,” he said.
Bouchart said the feeder main is now flowing at 55 per cent water capacity along with 82 per cent of its normal operating pressure.
Crews are actively monitoring the city’s water supply and demand and are continually testing water quality.
“Our next milestone will be moving from stage three to stage two. This progress relies on our ability to gradually increase supply to our system without compromising the pipe,” Bouchart said.
“It is important to note some level of outdoor water restrictions will likely be in place for some time. Yet we are unable to confirm the time frame until we progress further.