Critical water main break
Last updated: August 15, 2024
- We are currently in Stage 1 Outdoor Water Restrictions.
- In early June, while repairs were being completed to the initial break on the feeder main, we used a robotic device to scan approximately 4.3 kilometres of the pipe that was drained of water.
- This scan identified five “hot spots” – segments of the pipe that needed urgent repair before we could refill them with water.
- In late June, after the repairs were made and the pipe was brought back into service, we used another device called a PipeDiver, to scan the entire length of the feeder main, including approximately six kilometres that had not been scanned initially.
- At the end of July, we began receiving results from the PipeDiver scan.
- After analyzing these results, we now know that there are several other segments of the pipe that cannot wait for a medium or long-term plan.
- As a result, we need to make urgent repairs to these segments to address the risk of another unexpected break.
The repairs
- We will be conducting repairs on 21 pipe segments on 33 Ave. and 16 Ave. N.W. This will result in 16 to 18 ‘dig’ sites. There will then be an additional 2 pipe segment repairs on Parkdale Blvd and near Crowchild Trail. Please note this may change as work evolves.
- Repairs will take place in two phases - the first from August 26 until late September.
- In order to conduct these urgent repairs, we will need to again shut down the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and stop the flow of water through it.
- We are making these urgent repairs through the reinforced concrete encasement method, which includes exposing the pipe through excavation, building an exterior reinforcing steel cage, pouring concrete, and then backfilling the excavation.
- Once these repairs are completed, we will start the additional two pipe segment repairs on Parkdale Blvd. between 26 and 27 St. N.W. and near Broadview Road and Crowchild Trail.
Work taking place this week:
- Crews are on site today marking out the location of the feeder main with blue paint on the roadway.
- Alberta One Call is also in the areas identifying other underground utilities with coloured paint and small flags.
- Our teams are actively in the affected communities, speaking with residents and most impacted by construction along 33 Ave. N.W.
- We know impacts may change household to household and construction teams are working to assess individual needs.
Water restrictions
During the repair period from August 26 to the end of September, we will need to once again ask Calgarians to take steps to conserve water to make sure we have enough for urgent needs. This will include:
- A return to Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions, meaning no outdoor use of potable water.
- We will be asking residents to take three specific actions:
- Limit showers to three minutes
- Skip flushes when you can
- Only wash full loads of dishes and laundry.
- Businesses use water in different ways, so we will again be asking them to find ways to aim for a 25 per cent reduction in daily water during the period of the closure. We do not intend to close car washes, indoor pools, or other businesses during this time.
Livestream
Our repair planning continues, and we'll have our next media availability on Tuesday, August 20 at 2 p.m.
Daily water demand
The daily water demand will continue to be updated each day on our new interactive dashboard.
About the water main break
On the evening of Wednesday, June 5, The City discovered a large water main break in the Bowness and Montgomery area.
The break was on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a critical transmission line that carries most of the water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant into Calgary’s water distribution network.
The initial break and five additional “hot spots” – areas needing emergency repair – were fixed. Since July 2, Outdoor Water Restrictions have been slowly eased. In early August, it was determined that several further urgent repairs would be required. These are currently being planned for August 26 to the end of September.
Currently, Calgary remains under Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions.
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See where we are conserving water in parks, golf courses, pools and other City services.
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Health and safety water cleanliness information.