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.”
“We need everyone in this city to pull together,” she said, noting it is essential that Calgarians follow directions from emergency officials as the situation continues.
“It’s time for us to evaluate every single drop to make sure that we can continue to have access to water for health and safety.”
To mitigate risk of possible fire, a fire ban was put into place for Calgary at 6:45 a.m., Henry said.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek also spoke at the news conference and thanked emergency crews who dealt with “an incredible amount of water flowing in Bowness last night.”
She also underscored the importance of ensuring the Calgary Fire Department has enough water to be able to respond to fires in the city.
“I know that Calgarians band together when we have a situation as serious as this one,” Gondek said.
“Our collective focus on the conservation of water will be the key to ensuring everyone has enough supply for drinking water, for cooking needs, … (and) other basic needs.”
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The city plans to hold another media availability at 3 p.m. to provide an update on the situation.
People living in the northwest Calgary community of Bowness had already been issued a boil water advisory as a result of a water main break that occurred on Wednesday night.
“The city discovered a large water main break in the Bowness and Montgomery area,” the City of Calgary said in a news release issued just after 5 a.m. on Thursday.
“The break is on a critical transmission line that enables us to move water across the city.”
City officials said they are also implementing “Stage 4 outdoor watering restrictions for all of Calgary immediately.”
“(We are) calling for Calgarians to limit non-essential indoor water use,” they said.
In addition to those steps, officials said the city has enacted its Municipal Emergency Plan.
“We do not have an estimate for how long the boil water advisory or the water restrictions will be necessary,” the city said. “This issue is temporary, and our crews are working 24/7 to complete the necessary repair work.”
The boil water advisory calls for people in homes and businesses in Bowness to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking, brushing teeth, cleaning raw foods, preparing infant formula or juices or making ice.
“This advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution,” the city said. “This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.”
A map showing the area in Calgary under a boil water advisory on June 6, 2024.
CREDIT: City of Calgary
Alberta Health Services is also monitoring the situation and the city said it will be sampling and testing drinking water to make sure it is safe for consumption.
For more information on boil water advisories, you can visit the AHS website at albertahealthservices.ca.
Water restrictions announced for Calgary earlier in the day
Earlier on Thursday morning, the city said it was implementing a mandatory outdoor watering ban to ensure Calgary’s water supply can best be shared by all citizens.
The city said it also wants Calgarians to limit their non-essential water use. People can do this by delaying their use of dishwashers and washing machines, limiting shower times and keeping baths shallow, turning off humidifiers and ice machines and turning off water taps when not in use.
“Businesses using large volumes of non-essential water, such as laundromats and car washes, are being asked to reduce water use,” city officials added.
“Businesses using water to deliver a product or service that is life sustaining for people, animals and plants are exempt. Other exemptions include any businesses that must use water to meet health code standards, such as hospitals and restaurants.”
The City of Calgary said it is also reducing its own non-essential water use.
“As Calgarians set out to begin their day, we would encourage them to avoid the impacted area around 16th Avenue and Home Road Northwest and to plan some extra time around their commute as there may be traffic impacts as a result of this incident.”
The city said Calgarians can follow its social media channels for the latest updates.
Community outside Calgary announces water restrictions
North of Calgary, the City of Airdrie announced Thursday morning that its residents should “immediately stop outdoor water usage.”
“All outdoor water use is temporarily banned and indoor water conservation is strongly encouraged,” city officials said, adding that the decision to implement restrictions relates to the water supply situation in Calgary, which is also impacting Airdrie.
“All exception permits are suspended while Level 4 restrictions are in place and the City of Airdrie has suspended bulk water sales effective immediately,” officials said.
“Residents are also strongly encouraged to follow indoor water conservation.”
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