Calgary's water restrictions expected to lift on Sunday

After weeks of repairs to Calgary's Bearspaw south feeder main, the city reports that water restrictions are expected to lift on Sunday.

The City of Calgary's work to refill the feeder main is expected to be completed today. Once that work is finished, the city will conduct water safety testing to ensure it meets quality and safety standards. 

Water quality testing is expected to take 24 hours to complete. After its safety is confirmed, the city will move into stabilizing the system, and that includes opening valves to reconnect the feeder main to the rest of the water distribution network.

"Once all of these steps are complete, we will lift water restrictions. Based on our progress so far, we expect this will happen sometime Sunday," said Francois Bouchart, the city's director of capital priorities and investment, on Thursday.

Franco Rizzuti, Alberta Health Services' medical officer of health for the Calgary zone, provided an update on Thursday about the work needed to test the city's water quality.

Alberta Health Services (AHS), the city and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) have monitored water quality through each step of the repairs with no indication thus far of anything harmful entering the pipe.

Water samples are being taken at different times and locations along the pipe during and after filling to test for how clear the water is, residual chlorine or harmful bacteria. The samples will be tested at the city's water lab and reviewed by AHS and EPA.

Water usage across the city on Wednesday was measured at 489 million litres, including the seven million litres used to refill the feeder main. The city said this still reflects sustainable water usage among Calgarians, as without the water needed to refill the pipe, the city's use still falls below the sustainability threshold of 485 million litres the city has set.

Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions have been in effect since the Bearspaw south feeder main, which distributes most of Calgary's treated water, was shut down again at the end of August for repairs.

In its place, the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant is producing approximately 70 per cent of Calgary's water supply, far more than the 30 per cent it typically handles at this time of year.

Bouchart also provided an update on construction resulting from the feeder main repair. He said 33rd Avenue N.W., west of 83rd Street, is expected to open next week, while traffic east of 83rd Street is now open.

Intermittent lane closures are still in place along 16th Avenue N.W., to complete concrete curb work.

The second phase of feeder main repairs are scheduled for October and November along the Bow River Pathway near 26th Street N.W. and Parkdale Boulevard. But the city has said no water restrictions are expected during this phase. Once locations are finalized for the second phase of repairs, the city said it will reach out to people and businesses who will be affected by the repair work.