Calgary Declares State of Emergency as Repair of Water Main Break to Take 3–5 Weeks

Work to repair a major water main in Calgary continues on June 7, 2024. The City Calgary announced on June 14, 2024, that water restrictions could last another 3 to 5 weeks as additional repairs are needed. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

The City of Calgary declared a state of local emergency on June 15 due to a water feeder main break affecting the city’s water supply.

The city said the day before that water restrictions could last an additional three to five weeks as further repairs are needed.

“The decision to declare a State of Local Emergency was not taken lightly, and it was done to ensure we are prepared for all eventualities in the drive to have this water feeder main restoration work done as quickly and safely as possible,” Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said in a June 15 press release.

Ms. Gondek noted that the Alberta government has endorsed this approach, and thanked the government for “offering their support as we address this critical water situation.”

On June 5, the city reported an “extensive water main break” in the Northwest areas of Bowness and Montgomery, affecting water supply throughout Calgary. In response, Calgary Emergency Management enacted its Municipal Emergency Plan and activated the Emergency Operations Centre to address the issue.

Following further assessment of the damaged pipe, five additional vulnerable spots were identified. On June 14, the city decided to address these trouble spots, extending the impact on the city’s water supply by three to five weeks.

The vulnerabilities were discovered after a robot was deployed to assess roughly 300 metres of the damaged main water feeder pipe near 16th Avenue and Home Road in Northwest Calgary.

Calgary Emergency Management Chief Susan Henry said the emergency declaration would allow for more coordinated action to restore full water service as soon as possible.

“This work is our top priority and we are bringing every tool in the toolbox to advance and support this massive construction effort, and to continue to ensure we have enough water for those critical life-safety needs,” she said.

“We are asking our citizens, businesses and partners to stay with us – to do what we know we must do – until we are back to regular service.”

To deal with the water shortage, the city has implemented Stage 4 water restrictions. Businesses were asked to cease all non-essential water use activities, including outdoor tasks like construction, exterior window cleaning, pesticide applications, and surface washing, as outlined in a June 6 press release.

Exceptions apply to businesses providing essential products or services for people, animals, and plants, as well as those required to meet health code standards such as hospitals and restaurants.

Under the same restrictions, Calgarians are encouraged to reduce water usage for tasks like dishwashing and laundry. They are also asked to take shorter showers and turn off humidifiers, ice machines, and water taps not in use.