Calgary’s water consumption has recently surged beyond recommended levels, prompting city officials to renew appeals for residents to reduce their usage. On Wednesday, the city recorded water usage of 501 million litres—a figure that exceeds the sustainable benchmark of 500 million litres during the ongoing repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. This situation underscores the pressing need for Calgarians to act responsibly as the city navigates significant infrastructure challenges.
Current Water Usage and Restrictions
The spike in water consumption is particularly concerning as it follows two days of relative moderation, where usage dipped below the recommended threshold. This increase comes amidst a city-wide effort to manage water resources effectively while the Bearspaw South Feeder Main is offline for essential repairs, having experienced two significant failures within a two-year span.
As of March 9, the city enacted new water restrictions to mitigate the impact of the outage. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main typically accounts for approximately 60 per cent of Calgary’s water supply, and its shutdown has necessitated a reliance on the smaller Glenmore water treatment plant. This plant also provides water to surrounding areas, including Airdrie, Chestermere, and the Tsuut’ina Nation.
Ongoing Repairs and Future Plans
City officials are actively working to address the structural weaknesses of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which will involve reinforcing several vulnerable sections of the existing concrete line. Concurrently, plans are underway to replace the entire feeder main with a new steel pipe, a project expected to reach completion by the end of 2026.
Michael Thompson, the general manager of infrastructure services, reiterated the importance of water conservation during a recent update on repairs. “We aim to save 25 litres of water per person each day,” he stated. He recommended that residents consider adjustments to their daily routines, noting that simply reducing one cycle of dishwashing or laundry could help achieve this goal.
Thompson further elaborated on the progress of the repair efforts, revealing that rebar installation has been completed, concrete pouring is underway, and backfilling around certain sections of the pipe is in progress. “Replacement of the valves at the Shaganappi pump station will be completed this weekend,” he added, highlighting that refilling one section of the feeder main alone will require around 5 million litres of water.
Upcoming Construction and Traffic Impact
Looking ahead, construction on the final microtunneling shaft at 16th Avenue and 44th Street is set to commence on March 24. This work will create a construction zone in a parking lot, which will remain in place until December. Residents should anticipate temporary traffic disruptions as these vital repairs unfold.
The city expects that the reinforcement work, paired with the current water restrictions, will last for an additional two weeks before the feeder main can resume service. The overarching goal is to ensure a reliable water supply for Calgary’s residents during this challenging period.
Why it Matters
The situation in Calgary serves as a critical reminder of the importance of water conservation, especially in the face of infrastructure challenges. As the city grapples with significant repairs to its water supply system, the onus is on residents to reduce consumption and contribute to the collective effort of maintaining sustainable water resources. With the ongoing risks posed by climate change and population growth, responsible water usage is not only a civic duty but a necessity for ensuring a resilient future for Calgary and its surrounding communities.
