'If water usage continues to trend up, taps will run dry'

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek continued her urgent call for residents to not let up on their water conservation efforts on Friday afternoon, stating that residents' efforts are essential for life-saving measures, including firefighting efforts, hospitals, and schools to remain open.

"We must do better to use less water: plain and simple. If our water usage continues to trend up and our water supply can't keep pace, our taps will run dry," Mayor Gondek stated. "You and I cannot give up on our water conservation efforts. While the two-meter-wide feeder main is being repaired."

Few new details were given as to where repairs stand on the water main break stand. Mayor Gondek said that a technical briefing will be held at 5 p.m. with more details.

"Overnight on Wednesday and into part of yesterday, crews paused their work due to an onsite injury. Two workers were taken to hospital to be treated and they are currently recovering from their injuries," she said.

Occupational Health and Safety gave the go-ahead to return to welding yesterday, which was the work that the safety incident team was reviewing.

"City crews have sent robots equipped with sensors into the pipe and they've now scanned more than four kilometres of the feeder main. I understand that developments are coming out of our water team, and they are meeting on those findings from the robots right now."

Calgary Fire Chief provides a summary of firefighting efforts during this water crisis

Calgary Fire Chief, Steve Dongworth, who also attended the afternoon update, spoke about the various strategies the city's fire department is utilizing. He also underlined that while a fire in the community of Woodbine earlier this week consumed 100,000 litres of water to combat, and water availability was not an issue, he urged residents to conserve water, nonetheless.

"We are urging you to continue to conserve water so that this remains true while the water main repair work continues," he said. 

He noted that the Calgary Fire Department is also doing its best to conserve water.

"We've postponed our regularly scheduled spring hydrant testing until water supply and service are fully restored across the city and we're only washing our equipment and apparatus when necessary for safety purposes," he added. "And of course, we are also adhering to the stage four water restrictions in terms of the water we use within the fire stations. I would just like to make a final reminder to Calgarians: please continue to be vigilant, as to things you can do to prevent fires within the City of Calgary."

He said that throughout the water main break, the Calgary Fire Department has been actively engaging in planning and operations discussions with the Emergency Operations Center and its own fire Tactical Operations Center.

"We have multiple non-hydrant firefighting strategies including plans, personnel, apparatus, alternative water sources and equipment in place."

Chief Dongworth added that they have developed comprehensive plans and alternative operating procedures to supplement the water supply if it becomes necessary.

He explained that if the case is that hydrant supplies are unavailable, each of the fire department's fire engines has a tank supply of 2,500 litres of water. The department also has four water tenders, which the Chief said are essentially water tankers. Those tenders carry between 7,000 and 11,000 litres of water. Each is staged strategically throughout the city. 

The City fire department also has agreements with mutual aid partners to assist in water delivery via water trucks as well as a forestry helicopter and water bombers on standby to respond from the air to any large-scale events where that becomes necessary. 

Airdrie and Calgary Mayors issue stark plea and warning

On Friday morning, Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown joined his Calgary counterpart, Mayor Jyoti Gondek as Calgary's water usage yesterday surpassed, what Mayor Gondek said was the sustainable threshold.

"Since last Saturday, our water usage has been trending upward. Two days ago, we surpassed the sustainable threshold. Yesterday, we used 480 million litres of water: that is the threshold. While we reduced our water use slightly from the day before, we simply must do more," Mayor Gondek said. "If our water usage continues to trend up, and our water supply can't keep up, the taps will run dry at some point."

She underlined that while there are no indoor water restrictions yet, if water usage continues to trend upward this could change.

"We are counting on your goodwill to reduce your indoor water use. But if we cannot do our part by banding together, there may be some restrictions that come into place. We do not know what that looks like. I don't want to get to that stage."

Mayor Brown reiterated his plea to residents in Airdrie about making small adjustments to their water usage. 

"We are so fortunate to turn the tap on and have clean, fresh drinking water... Lots of places around the world, don't have that opportunity and we need to remind ourselves, that it's a small adjustment in how we do things; shutting the water off when you wash your hands, doing those types of things," he said. "We want to remind all of our businesses, and all of our residents to continue to be vigilant, reduce the amount of water, and take the stress off the system."

He added that he does not want to see a situation in which water pressure is reduced in Airdrie.

"We want to make sure we're doing everything to support Calgary through this process. It comes down to being good neighbours; we need to support our neighbours in Calgary, and we need to support our friends and neighbours and family and Airdrie."

The Calgary Mayor also impressed upon the fact that it is not just residents who are being asked to conserve water, city operations are also cutting back.

"One out of every three litres that we're using in the city when it comes to water is used by commercial customers and you've had questions about their usage. I can tell you that more than 700 of the city's top commercial water users have been contacted directly and they are doing everything they can to reduce their water use," she stated. "Within The City of Calgary, our operations have also cut down on our water use. We have heard complaints that city golf courses are still watering their greens, and we've heard that water trucks are still out watering trees, and this is true. However, the water that is being used is not the water coming out of the treatment plant. It is non-potable or recycled water."

Airdrie's water usage sees an uptick

According to the latest data from The City of Airdrie, since the restrictions were implemented, the city has seen an average drop of 22.1 per cent in water usage. However, yesterday's data showed that water use is increasing. 

"Please continue to follow the restrictions to ensure we have enough water for essential needs," The City stated on Friday.

The City is also underlining to residents that development activities may continue if using non-potable water.

"Contractors have been notified that they can bring water from unaffected areas (e.g., Cochrane, Okotoks) with proper documentation. City operations are also using non-potable water."

Previously, Airdrie's water consumption use was recorded to be down an average of 23 per cent since June 5, before the water main break and the outdoor water restrictions were announced. Under level four water restrictions, residents can not:

• Water lawns, gardens, trees, shrubs, and flowers by any method other than rainwater.
• Wash down any outdoor surfaces, including exterior building surfaces, windows, sidewalks, driveways, or walkways of any sort unless your business requires them to for health and safety reasons.
• Wash cars on driveways or streets.
• Fill outdoor decorative features, fountains, pools, or hot tubs.
• Use potable water for construction purposes such as grading, compaction, or dust control.

The City is strongly encouraging voluntary indoor water restrictions which include:

• Use dishwasher and washing machine only when required and with full loads.
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Limit showers to five minutes or less and keep baths shallow.
• Scrape plates clean rather than rinsing food off.
• Turn off humidifiers and ice machines, delay washing vehicles,
• Businesses using large volumes of non-essential water, such as laundromats and car washes, are being asked to reduce water use.
• Businesses using water to deliver a product or service that is life-sustaining for people and animals are exempt. Other exemptions include any businesses that must use water to meet health code standards, such as health centres and restaurants.

"There are no boil water advisories in effect within the City of Airdrie and water remains safe to drink. We thank residents for their cooperation in making temporary sacrifices to ensure that Airdrie and our surrounding communities have water for life-saving purposes," The City added.

Municipal Enforcement warns residents against utilizing storm ponds.

On Thursday, Airdrie officials said that the city's Municipal Enforcement had responded to several complaints regarding residents taking water from storm ponds as the level four water restrictions persist in the city.

City officials asked residents to refrain from doing this as it is a safety risk and is not allowed under the city's drainage bylaw. 

According to the city's bylaw, 'Storm Drainage must not be diverted, used or re-used for any purpose without written approval from the City Manager and the applicable Provincial and or Federal agencies. '

The bylaw also stipulates that unauthorized use of Storm Drainage can result in fines between $500 to $1,000. Alternatives to taking water from stormwater ponds include:

• With rain in the forecast this weekend, collect rainwater in a rain barrel or bucket.
• Collect water while your shower is heating up.
• Use leftover water from cooking eggs, potatoes, or pasta.

Also on Thursday, the Alberta Emergency Alert advisory was updated to show that the advisory due to the feeder main break along 16 Avenue Northwest in Calgary is still active.

"... Has impacted the city's water supply. Supply levels remain in a critical state, affecting the city's ability to provide water to communities and ensure adequate water is available to support emergency fire suppression. This alert remains in effect for all communities on Calgary's water supply, including Airdrie, Strathmore, and Chestermere," the alert stated on Thursday morning.

A fire ban remains in effect for The City of Calgary as well as Airdrie, however after consulting with the construction industry, the Calgary Fire Department is now permitting certain lower-risk hot works activities for roofing (restrictions on this work apply and work using open flames are prohibited). 

All Calgary City-operated aquatic fitness facilities and leisure centres are open, including weight rooms. North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres are open. Swimming pools, arenas, water parks and showers remain closed. Detours are in place as 16 Avenue remains closed at Home Road Northwest.

A technical brief will be provided later this afternoon by Calgary City officials. 

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