Alert | State of Local Emergency in Effect

Effective July 2, indoor water-saving measures have eased. Outdoor Water Restrictions and fire ban remain in place. The city remains in a State of Local Emergency.

Water Saving Tips, FAQs, more information

Critical water main break

Updated July 2, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

July 2 update

Indoor water-saving measures have eased for residents and businesses. Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions remain in place. Fire ban remains in place.

We have now started to gradually flow water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant through the feeder main and into the rest of the water network, and we are slowly stabilizing our system.

As of Tuesday, July 2, indoor water-saving measures have eased for residents and businesses. This means:

  • Residents can resume normal indoor water use.
    • To help our system adapt, please be mindful of your use for the first few days. If you have been waiting to catch up on laundry or other activities that consume a lot of water, consider spacing it out through the week.
  • Businesses can resume normal indoor water use. This includes indoor pools and car washes, which had previously been asked to close.

Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions remain in place for residents and businesses.

  • While we can currently supply enough water for indoor use, we are keeping Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions in place right now as we continue to stabilize our system.
  • We will carefully monitor supply and demand and make changes to the Outdoor Water Restrictions when we are confident that the system is ready.

The State of Local Emergency remains in place.

Background

On June 5, there was a catastrophic break in the feeder main that moves most of the water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant. Since then, we detected and repaired five additional hot spots in the feeder main that were in need of urgent repairs.

Water tap

Feeder main repair milestones

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Restoring water service

Infographic showing the four steps outlined in text below.

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Currently on Step 4: Stabilizing the system.

Pumps at Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant will be gradually turned on and water will start flowing through the network.

Step 1: Fill the feeder main (1-2 days). 14 million litres of water will fill the feeder main. The increase in pressure could result in further breaks. We will be using acoustic monitors to listen for more wire breaks.

Step 2: Flushing the pipe (1 day). Treated water is needed to clean the feeder main. The water will exit through values and fire hydrants and be decholorinted before entering the river. This will happen at the north side of Edworthy Park. Closures will be in place.

Step 3: Testing the water (1 day). Water samples will be sent to a lab for analysis to make it's safe for the public. Results will be reviewed by Alberta Health Services and Environment and Protected Areas. 

Step 4: Stabilize the system (3-5 days): Pumps at Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant will be gradually turned on and water will start flowing through the network.

To restore service to the feeder main and stabilize the system, we need to move carefully. Each step has risks and could create setbacks. 

Fire ban in effect

To help prevent any unnecessary fires, we have implemented a city-wide fire ban, effective immediately. The fire ban includes all City parks.

Learn more about the fire ban

Service interruptions

Some City services are affected by the water main break.

Learn more about interrupted services

A state of local emergency is in effect

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