Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek provided an update today regarding the ongoing repairs to the city’s water feeder main following a significant break. Construction efforts on five critical hotspots are progressing well, she announced, with approximately half of the required work completed.
“Crews continue to cut and remove segments of the pipe where the hotspots are, and that work is about halfway done,” Gondek informed the media. She emphasized the efficiency of the repair process, highlighting the excellent coordination between on-site crews and fabrication shops.
Sections of treated pipe are on standby and ready to be deployed as necessary. Michael Thompson, the City of Calgary’s General Manager, detailed the preparation process, explaining that pipes shipped from San Diego, California, are currently being sandblasted and coated.
Despite the break, water use in the city has remained stable. However, with a warm weekend approaching, Mayor Gondek advised residents to consider ways to stay cool while conserving water. “It’s a good time to think about ways to stay cool and save water,” she said.
Additionally, in response to the ongoing water crisis, the city announced that Calgary’s construction community could access non-potable water from the Bow River at two designated sites. This measure aims to alleviate the demand on the city’s potable water supply, ensuring it remains sufficient for essential uses.
Coby Duerr from the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) reiterated that this water is not safe for drinking and is strictly for commercial construction and landscaping activities. “The water is not currently available to the general public,” Duerr stated.
Thompson provided further details on the repair process, noting the complexity of the project due to the custom nature of the parts and the age of the infrastructure, originally installed 49 years ago. “Every part is custom fabricated, and this line follows the terrain, which includes areas with large concrete blocks known as thrust blocks,” he explained.
The city has been leveraging technology from Pure Technologies, known for their expertise in the oil and gas sector, to implement a smart ball inspection method for monitoring the treated water system while it is in use. This proactive approach aims to prevent future incidents by providing real-time data on the pipe’s condition.
Financial tracking of the repair efforts is ongoing, with all related expenses being meticulously documented. This includes the cost of materials, work hours, contractor support, and machinery. The information will be consolidated and shared with the public once available.
The mayor commended the community’s efforts in water conservation, highlighting the significant reduction in water usage, which has been maintained for five consecutive days. “We used only 454 million liters of water yesterday. Can we keep this streak going?” she challenged the citizens, encouraging continued efforts to conserve water.
The Calgary Fire Department’s recent firefighting efforts were also acknowledged, with Acting Fire Chief Deborah Bergus emphasizing the importance of water conservation for public safety. “A fire hose full of water is a literal lifeline for our firefighters inside a burning building,” she said, thanking the public for their conservation efforts which ensure sufficient water supply for firefighting.
Further updates are expected to be provided in the coming days, with another briefing scheduled for tomorrow.