Calgary issues ‘critical water supply’ alert after water main break spurs boil water advisory
Global News
The City of Calgary issued a "critical water supply" alert on Thursday morning as the fallout from a water main break the night before continued to escalate.
The City of Calgary issued a “critical water supply” alert on Thursday morning as the fallout from a water main break the night before continued to escalate.
“Supply levels have reached a critical state, affecting the city’s ability to provide water to communities and ensure adequate water is available to support emergency fire suppression,” city officials said.
The emergency alert extended restrictions already announced earlier in the day (see bottom of article for those restrictions). As of 6:36 a.m., Calgarians were told they “must conserve water” and should not shower or bathe, or wash dishes or run any appliances that use water.
City officials held a news conference at Calgary’s Emergency Operations Centre at shortly before 8 a.m.
“We are asking for the public’s support as we manage a critical situation,” said Susan Henry, chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency.
She said the cause of the break that resulted in the situation is still unknown and being investigated.
Henry added that it was difficult to estimate how long repairs will take as the break was “large and complicated.”