Water usage in Airdrie earlier this week was the highest it has been since June 17, following Calgary's water consumption pattern which has seen an increase over the past few days. Airdrie City officials continued to remind everyone to reduce water use to meet the 25 per cent water consumption reduction target.

"When Municipal Enforcement receives a complaint, they investigate and educate residents about the outdoor water ban. So far, this approach has resulted in no-repeat complaints or fines. However, repeat occurrences will likely result in fines. Please report any violations to 403-948-8888," The City stated. 

On Wednesday morning, Mayor Jyoti Gondek also sounded the alarm on water usage.

"Yesterday, we used 471 million litres of water, and that's at about 98 per cent of our acceptable threshold and it puts us potentially at risk for life-saving measures, like people in hospital or firefighting efforts," she said. "All the choices and sacrifices that you have been making are having a big impact. Please keep it up. I urge you to keep doing your part while crews are working around the clock to get our water service back up to regular levels."

On Tuesday, Calgary city officials stated that repair work on the feeder main break near 16 Avenue Northwest and Home Road was entering a final critical phase as City crews work restoring the water line into service. Backfilling and repaving are underway.

"The water team is beginning the four-step process of fill, flush, test and stabilize. They'll be filling the two-meter wide pipe today, bringing it up to pressure. Through that process, the teams will closely monitor what's happening in that pipe," Mayor Gondek said on Tuesday. "After that, they will flush it to make sure that there are no contaminants within that feeder main."

Water samples will have to be sent for lab testing and approval by Alberta Health Services.

"Then the city's entire water system will need to be stabilized before it can return to regular service. There are still many steps along the way to restoring water service... In getting this pipe back into service, it is not without risk."

Airdrie offers non-potable water to residents 

The City of Airdrie announced on Friday that it has set up non-potable water tanks for watering plants, flowers and gardens at the Airdrie Recycle Depot. The City added that non-potable water from the tanks at the Recycle Depot will now be accessible during and outside depot hours via a connected hose placed outside the fence.

Residents are asked to bring their own buckets—up to five gallons—and fill them using the hose attached to the tanks. The non-potable water is for residential use only.

"This water is for plants, flower and garden use only. It is not safe for drinking or household use," The City underlined.

Airdrie's Recycle Depot is located at 21 East Lake Hill. The Depot is open Wednesday to Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Monday and Tuesday. 

Airdrie and Calgary remain under water restrictions and fire ban 

Airdrie and Calgary remain under water restrictions and a fire ban. Genesis Place pool and aquatics facilities will remain closed until and including July 1. 

"Ice-arena activities resumed over the weekend. The water used to maintain the City’s ice arenas is being supplied from sources outside the Calgary water main break impacted region via a water truck," officials added.

Under level four water restrictions, all outdoor water use is temporarily banned, and indoor water conservation is strongly encouraged. Under level four water restrictions, residents cannot:

  • 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.

No boil water advisories are in effect within the City of Airdrie, and water remains safe to drink.

"To ensure we share the water currently available, we are asking Airdrie residents to immediately restrict indoor water use by taking the following voluntary actions:"

  • 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 asked to reduce water use.
  • Businesses that use water to deliver a life-sustaining product or service for people and animals are exempt. Other exemptions include businesses using water to meet health code standards, such as health centres and restaurants.

"The fire ban will remain in effect until repairs to the broken water main pipe in Calgary are made and normal water consumption can resume," The City stated on June 6. 

An Alberta Emergency Alert advisory remains in place for Calgary, Airdrie, Strathmore, and Chestermere.

"... 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."

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