
Calgarians put water crisis aside, get ready for fun at 2024 Stampede
Global News
Earlier this month, there were concerns the population bump from the 10-day event would push the city's water system to a breaking point.
Calgary residents are getting a happy diversion from their water woes, as its annual Stampede summer festival begins today with a downtown parade.
The parade comes a month to the day after a major water main broke in the city’s northwest, flooding streets and turning off the taps to 60 per cent of the drinking water for the city and surrounding communities.
Crews scrambled to repair the line and, in the process, found five more weak spots to fix.
A directive to have Calgarians cut their indoor water use by 25 per cent with fewer showers and toilet flushes was lifted earlier this week.
A ban on outdoor watering remains in place as the water system runs at reduced capacity to keep enough water in reserve to fight fires and the replacement line undergoes tests.
The Stampede — a combination midway fair, entertainment festival and rodeo competition — brings thousands of visitors to the city every July.
Earlier this month, there were concerns the population bump from the 10-day event would push the city’s water system to a breaking point.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek said while she has asked Calgarians to continue to go slow on their indoor water use, contingency plans are in place for the Stampede.