The Calgary Stampede will go ahead on schedule despite a water supply crisis in the city, officials say.
“The Calgary Stampede is part of the community and we share the concerns of Calgarians regarding the current situation. At our heart, we are an agricultural society and we, along with our contestants and exhibitors who bring their animals here from throughout North America, are part of that community. There are no greater stewards of natural resources – especially water – than those in that community.”
A combination of mandatory and voluntary water restrictions have been in place since June 5, when the water main broke in the city’s northwest. Residents have been asked to take shorter showers, do fewer loads of laundry and dishes, and reduce toilet flushes. All outdoor water use has been banned.
The city said that summer events, like the Stampede, are important for the economy, the community, and for cultural connection.
“We are working with the Stampede and other event organizers to ensure they don’t impact our water use during this critical time,” the city said. “These events will look slightly different this summer, but they will proceed.”
The city said it reviewed the daily water demand for the Stampede over the past five years, noting there was “no significant uptick” of water use. This was due to two factors: many residents leave the city while the stampede is on, and trends show that in early July, when the Stampede is held, there are often big storms that reduce the need for outdoor watering.
The acting chief of the city’s emergency management agency, Coby Duerr, has asked visitors to “live like a local” when they visit to enjoy the stampede.
Water Repair Update
The city also gave a repair update on June 17, saying that repairs on the original feeder main break were finished. Work has started on five other hotspots identified as part of the problem.“We are working quickly and safely to get this job done. Heavy equipment is moving through the city or already in place, shovels are in the ground and crews are working around the clock on the repairs,” the release said.
Additional sections of pipe to support the repairs have been secured, with three sections in Calgary being prepared for installation. Two other sections are on the way from San Diego and are expected to arrive this week, the release said.
The city said it would still take three to five weeks before the work was completed. Calgarians were reminded that water restrictions were still in place.
