August 2024 Newsletter

Hello Ward 6!

As we near the end of summer I hope you have enjoyed the weather and everything our great City has to offer. In this edition of the August newsletter, you will read about the new Green Line scope approval, water main updates, street light outages, curb-side treasure hunt and more. 

COUNCIL UPDATES

___________________________

Water Main Update 

A few weeks ago, the City announced that, based on new information, additional urgent repairs are needed to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. This conclusion is based on analysis of the recent results from our PipeDiver device, combined with previous testing and ongoing acoustic monitoring. While this is not an emergency situation like we experienced in June, the new data has uncovered 21 additional points in the pipe where urgent repair work is needed by the end of September.

Timing is crucial for managing Calgary’s water supply through the winter. Calgary sources its water from the Bow and Elbow Rivers. The Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant draws water from the Bow River, while the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant sources from the Elbow River. During spring and summer, river flows are higher due to rainfall and snowmelt in the mountains. In late fall and winter, we rely on the Glenmore Reservoir as our water "bank," drawing it down as flows in the Elbow River decrease. We need to complete the repairs while the flow is still high enough to refill the Reservoir for winter.

Repair work and timing

To facilitate these urgent repairs, we will need to shut down the South Bearspaw Feeder Main and stop the flow of water through it between August 26 and the end of September.

During this time, we will return to Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions and will also be asking Calgarians and businesses to limit their non-essential indoor water use to reduce the strain on our rivers and water treatment plants while work is underway.

We know Calgarian’s have sacrificed so much this summer under water restrictions and we are asking for your continued support until the end of September. These urgent repairs are required to proactively support the stability of our water system. We are committed to getting the required repairs completed to keep water flowing safely to you.

Next steps

The majority of this work will take place along a section of 33 Avenue N.W. Road closures are:

• Areas of 33 Avenue N.W. will be closed between 76 Street N.W. and 87 Street N.W.
• The righthand, westbound lane of 16 Avenue N.W. adjacent to the feeder main until repairs along 16 Avenue N.W. begin.

Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions

Prohibits all outdoor water use of City of Calgary potable water. This means that the following is not allowed at any time: 

• Using outdoor sprinklers 
• Using hoses with spray nozzles 
• Hand watering, unless it is with non-potable water or rainwater 
• Watering new or established lawns, gardens, flowers, trees, shrubs, sod or grass seed with City water 
• Washing outdoor cars, windows, exterior building surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or walkways 
• Filling of outdoor pools, hot tubs or wading pools with City water 
• Filling of fountains and other decorative features 
• Water use for construction purposes including grading, compactions and dust control 
• Pesticide or fertilizer application that requires the use of City water 

To support businesses and residents during Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions, The City will be reopening non-potable river water pick up locations with designated hours to support businesses and residents. Non-potable water will be available for collection from three sites beginning August 26 at the following locations: 

• West Baker Park boat launch 
• Ogden boat launch 
• Bankside

Hours of operation will be 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily for commercial use, and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily for residential use. 

Permitted essential uses:

• Businesses using water to deliver a life-sustaining product or service. 
• Businesses that must use water to meet health and safety regulations, such as hospitals, restaurants, animal care facilities and childcare facilities.  

For more information on Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions and frequently asked questions, visit calgary.ca/savewater

Water saving tips for residents

Here are the top three actions Calgarians can take to make a big difference in reducing their water use:  

• Limit showers to 3 minutes or less: Shortening a shower from five minutes to three minutes can save 20 litres of water, which is equivalent to approximately one blue gallon jug every day.
• Run laundry and dishwashers only when full: Washing machines are one of the biggest users of water inside your home. In addition to running full loads, reduce the number of loads you do each week.  
• Flush toilets only when necessary: Every time you skip a flush you save six litres of water. As a city of 1.4 million people, we could save three Olympic-sized swimming pools or approximately 450,000 5-gallon jugs per day

Other actions:  

• Turn off your water softener; this can save approximately 200 litres every time it cycles. That’s savings of roughly 10 of the blue 5-gallon water jugs. 
• Consider low prep meals, reusing cups throughout the day and even using compostable plates and cutlery. 
• Turn off the taps when you brush your teeth, wash your face or shave. 

Water saving tips for businesses

We are asking all businesses to reduce their water use by 25 per cent without compromising safety or quality. Below are some actions businesses can take to reduce their water use: 

• Adjust and lower building temperatures. Cooling buildings can place demands on our system. We urge commercial buildings to review and adjust water-based temperature control systems to ensure optimal indoor temperatures. CSA's acceptable range is 23-26 C 
• Fix leaking taps in kitchens, laundry rooms, toilets and dishwashers etc. 
• Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants  
• Identify areas/processes for increased water efficiency for daily operations 
• Wipe instead of wash and sweep instead of spray – review cleaning practices to reduce or eliminate water use 
• Work with staff to identify ways to minimize water use and loss throughout their work duties 
• Window washing can only be completed by a licensed company 

Visit calgary.ca/savewateratwork for more information and resources for businesses to prepare. 

Enforcement

Community Standards will be taking an education first approach with both businesses and residences while Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions remain in place. However, continued non-compliance can result in fines starting at $3,000.

What happens if we exceed our consumption target of 450 megalitres per day?

As Chris Huston, Manager of Drinking Water Distribution explained at our media update on August 20, our safe consumption target of 450 megalitres (MLD)of water per day accounts for the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant operating at full capacity, which is not enough to meet the full demand of the city on its own, coupled with the reduced output from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant when the Bearspaw South Feeder Main is out of service for repairs.  

If we use more than 450 MLD, and demand exceeds what the system can produce, our underground storage reservoirs will eventually run dry, leading to a drop in water pressure. Maintaining adequate water pressure is essential for keeping our water safe to drink. Low water pressure can allow contaminants to enter the system, potentially leading to a boil water advisory. A city-wide boil advisory is possible if multiple underground reservoirs are depleted. 

If a boil water advisory occurs, it could last several months until we have enough water available in the spring to safely flush and clean the system.  

This scenario highlights the importance of Calgarians working together to keep water usage within the safe consumption limit during the repair period.  

We know the ongoing water restrictions, which have been in place since June 5, have been challenging and have a huge impact on daily routines for residents, businesses, industries and our regional partners. Your cooperation is crucial as we undertake these critical repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and all your collective efforts make a big difference in reducing our water use. 

We are committed to providing regular updates. For more information, visit calgary.ca/restrictions.

Thank you for your patience and your support as we do these much need repairs. 

New Green Line Scope Approval

The Green Line Phase I LRT was approved with a revised project scope, delivery model and budget.

The revised scope will see the new LRT line built from Lynnwood/Millican in the southeast to Eau Claire downtown and connect into the existing Red and Blue LRT lines. The City has allocated an additional $705 million to build this first phase of the Green Line LRT which will be factored into our recommended adjustments to the Service Plan and Budgets later this September.

The $705 million consists of:

• $208 million from the Reserve for Future Capital that Council set aside for capital cost escalations, using 2023 tax-supported operating savings.
• $133 million through the prioritization of 75 per cent of any future tax-supported operating savings from 2025-2031 to the Green Line.
• $252 million towards the Green Line Fund for Operating & Maintenance, $8 million per year 2025-2031, accumulating each year until opening. The City’s Service plans and budgets will determine the amount from efficiencies, tax revenue, or other sources.  
• $112 million in new growth, equating to $16 million per year from 2025-2031.

Thanks to The City’s strong financial management practices, we also reduced projected financing costs from $640 million to $451 million, bringing the total capital budget for Green Line to $6.248 billion.

 Council’s decision enables The City to serve nearly 32,000 more Calgarians daily by adding over 10 kilometres of track to our LRT network and providing sustainable movement and access to all four quadrants in the city. It will be a catalyst for future development by creating opportunities to build 69,000 new housing units along the route through Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), something our city certainly needs.

The Green Line project was first imagined and funded nine years ago. Despite rising costs and inflation that the project has faced, the Green Line Program team has been able to lay the groundwork for future LRT expansions, both north and south, including regional transportation links, like Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan.

For Calgarians, Council and this organization, the Green Line LRT is more than just a transit project. It is a cornerstone of Calgary’s future, keeping this city as one of North America’s best places to make a living, make a life, and be a destination of choice.

DID YOU KNOW?

_______________________

Streetlight outage response reduced to under seven days

We have been working with a new partner, Iconic, for streetlight repair and maintenance services since December 2022. Iconic inherited a backlog of outages from the previous service provider, and have spent the past 19 months working in collaboration with the City to reduce and improve service response times.

As a result, Iconic and City teams have reduced the response time for a streetlight outage to an average of 6.53 days as of June 30, 2024. This is down from 65 days in 2022. The Service Level Agreement between The City and our provider is 30 days.

Working with Iconic, we’ve removed the backlog and outstanding service requests, closing 6,139 Service request for streetlight outages in 2024. We also achieved a milestone of fewer than 500 outages earlier in 2024.

We encourage Calgarians to report street light outages on our map at calgary.ca/streetlights. People who use a myID login to the outage map can also see additional information, including if a light has already been reported and when the report was made.

Navigating Calgary construction season: Mobility Operations Centre and Waze partnership

Our Mobility Operations Centre is harnessing the power of technology to ensure smooth traffic flow throughout the year. During construction season, the centre’s collaboration with Waze plays a pivotal role in aiding Calgarians’ commute.

Waze, a two-way data sharing app, empowers drivers and passengers to report real-time road conditions, including incidents, congestion, vehicle breakdowns and lane closures. In response, we can take immediate action, such as adjusting traffic signals and advising motorists, enabling them to alter their route and bypass the delay.

In addition, we can input current and planned detour and traffic data into the app, making Waze the most precise trip planning tool for Calgarian drivers.

We want to remind Calgarians of this important partnership and encourage them to download Waze for the best way to navigate their commute.

Waze traffic information sharing mobile app (calgary.ca)

Federation of Calgary Communities- DMAP Lunch & Learn

DMAP (The Calgary Development Map) received an upgrade! It now hosts a variety of new features that will enhance the ways you can comment, and provide insights on applications that may impact your community. During our 1-hour Lunch & Learn session, you will learn more about these features, and how to use them. Join us on one of the following dates:

• Thursday August 29, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• Saturday September 14, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

All sessions will contain the same content. Sign up for the date of your choice at https://calgarycommunities.com/our-workshops/

The City of Calgary launches Phase 2 engagement on short-term rentals

The City of Calgary invites Calgarians to participate in an online survey from Aug. 26 to Sept. 30, 2024, to share your feedback and help shape short-term rental (STR) regulations. The purpose of the Short-Term Rental Study is to examine market characteristics, public perceptions, operational challenges and the impact short-term rentals have on the housing market.

 As part of a multi-year study in collaboration with the University of Calgary (UCalgary) through the Urban Alliance partnership, the Short-Term Rental Study will provide The City with the necessary information to implement appropriate regulations for Calgary. Phase 1 of the study, launched in October 2023, included an online survey, focus groups and one-on-one interviews with interested parties, operators, and hosts. The “What We Heard” report from Phase 1 is available at engage.calgary.ca/STR.

Stay informed and offer your input by visiting our dedicated website at engage.calgary.ca/STR. You can find the number of licensed short-term rentals in Calgary via the interactive map tool here. To learn more about short-term rentals in Calgary, visit Calgary.ca/str.

About the Short-Term Rental Study:

Through the Urban Alliance partnership, UCalgary and The City of Calgary are collaborating on a multi-year study of Calgary’s short term rental market. This research aims to gain an in-depth understanding of Calgary’s STR market and the challenges and opportunities it presents, and to use this knowledge to recommend an updated regulatory approach for STRs which are homes or part of parts of homes rented for up to 30 consecutive days, often through services like Airbnb or VRB0.

Youth Central

Are you looking to make a positive impact in your community and develop your leadership skills? Consider getting involved with the Mayor's Youth Council or the other leadership programs available through Youth Central. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit youthcentral.com.

9-1-1 call tip – know your location

In an emergency, every second counts. When you call 9-1-1, you'll be asked “what is the address of the emergency?” But what if you’re somewhere outside and there’s no clear address?

Your cell phone’s GPS provides a general location to the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Officer, but you can help pinpoint your exact location by looking for nearby cross streets, buildings, or landmarks.

Some #YYC pathways have yellow emergency locator signs with letters and numbers. Share these details with the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Officer and they’ll know the exact spot to send emergency crews. 

Learn more at calgary.ca/911

Community Safety & Wellbeing Indicator Report

EVENTS

_______________________

Discovery Ridge Community Association - https://discoveryridge.com/community-news/

West Springs Cougar Ridge (WSCR) - https://wscr.ca/

Pride Parade 2024

Calgary Pride is hosting events from August 26th – September 1st, 2024. During this week, dozens of exciting events will be held across Calgary that celebrate and uplift the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The Calgary Pride Festival will feature the return of the 2-Day festival, August 31st & September 1st, with their annual parade taking place on Sunday, September 1st! Come see Council and the Mayor in the parade! For more information go to Pride 2024 - Calgary Pride

Curbside Treasure Hunt

Mark your calendar! Join Calgary’s Curbside Treasure Hunt on September 7 and 8!

How to Participate:

1. Gather reusable items in good condition that you no longer need.
2. Label them 'Free' and place them on your property next to the sidewalk or curb.
3. Anyone can take these items, and you can also find treasures at your neighbours!

Guidelines:

📌Only items labeled "Free" are available for taking. Create your own sign or download one from our website.

📌Do not block sidewalks or fire hydrants.

📌Remove all items from your property by 5 PM on Sunday, September 8.

📌Donate or safely dispose of any leftover items.

If you live in a multi-family complex, coordinate with your property manager to participate.

Learn more at calgary.ca/treasurehunt