Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek provided information regarding the city’s water supply status. The mayor highlighted the community’s efforts in conserving water and outlined the ongoing repair process and the initiation of a third-party review to investigate the incident.
Mayor Gondek commended Calgarians and the surrounding communities of Tsuut’ina Nation, Airdrie, Strathmore, and Chestermere for their water conservation efforts. “Yesterday, we consumed 450 million litres of water, indicating that people and businesses in Calgary and the surrounding communities continue to be excellent water stewards,” she stated. The city remains “well below the threshold for usage and well within the range of water required for storage on a regular basis.”
The Glenmore Treatment Plant continues to serve as the primary water source for the majority of the city. Gondek emphasized that the city’s water supply remains stable due to reduced water consumption.
Regarding the repair efforts, Mayor Gondek detailed the ongoing work on the water main. The initial site of the break has been repaired, with contributions from city crews and private contractors. “This brings us to the five hotspots that were identified—places that need repair before we can turn on the tap at the Bearspaw Treatment Facility and run water through the feeder main again,” Gondek explained.
City crews are addressing these hotspots, with parts for three of these areas already available. Additional components are being shipped from the San Diego County Water Authority. These parts are expected to arrive shortly and will undergo sandblasting and coating before being installed. Repairs are being conducted concurrently across all identified hotspots to expedite the process. Once repairs are completed, the feeder main will undergo safety tests to ensure the water quality is safe for consumption.
In addition to the repair updates, Mayor Gondek announced the framework for a comprehensive third-party incident review. Calgary Chief Administrative Officer David Duckworth elaborated on this initiative, stating that the review will examine the factors contributing to the pipe failure, assess current inspection practices, and provide recommendations to enhance the city’s water supply resilience.
“The framework for the full third-party review has already been established,” Duckworth noted. The review’s scope will include an in-depth analysis of the pipe failure, evaluation of current maintenance practices, and strategies to prevent future incidents. The review will be guided by an expert panel comprising professionals from academia, the water industry, utilities management, engineering, and government entities.
The selection process for the external consultant and panel members is underway, involving consultations with private sector experts and national water industry associations. Once the consultant and panel are in place, they will finalize the review’s scope and deliver recommendations to the city.
As Calgary continues to address the aftermath of the water main break, city officials are focused on restoring full water services and preventing future disruptions.