Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek provided an update on the city’s water supply situation following the recent declaration of a local state of emergency.
The mayor outlined the severity of the situation, noting that the city’s water supply capacity was cut in half due to the damage to the Bearspaw Treatment Facility’s feeder pipe. To mitigate the impact, the city has been relying solely on the South Glenmore Treatment Plant, which operates at 50% of the system’s full capacity.
Despite these challenges, Mayor Gondek highlighted a positive development: “Your consumption hit an all-time low and we used 438 million liters of water yesterday. That is better than what we hoped to achieve.” She credited this achievement to the community’s concerted efforts to reduce water usage.
The mayor reassured residents about the current water storage levels, stating, “We’ve got about 634 million liters as of 6:00 a.m. this morning. That means that we have enough water storage to meet demand and also protect ourselves in case of any emergencies.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining these levels through continued conservation efforts.
In response to questions about the involvement of hotels, recreation centers, businesses, and summer festivals in water conservation, the mayor asked for patience. “We need a few more days to look at the numbers, water usage mapping, and to talk to our partner organizations and businesses to make sure they understand what they can do to reduce water usage,” she said.
Mayor Gondek mentioned that the city is exploring additional solutions, including the use of overland pipes to transport water from the Bearspaw facility to necessary areas. These are currently backup plans, and more information will be provided as it becomes available. She assured residents that the City Emergency Operations team is working diligently to gather necessary data and develop effective strategies.
Mayor Gondek announced that she would return to the Emergency Operations Center later in the day to provide further updates. She encouraged residents to stay tuned for more information and to continue their commendable water-saving practices in the meantime.
As Calgary faces this water supply challenge, the cooperative spirit and innovative solutions of its residents and businesses are proving crucial in mitigating the impact and working towards a resolution.