The emergency status was enacted after the city had found five hotspots on the feeder main needed repairing
Calgary has ended a state of emergency related to the water shortage caused by a damaged feeder main, but restrictions on outdoor water use remain in place.
The emergency status was enacted after the city found five hot spots on the pipe in need of repairs.
“We wanted to ensure we were able to navigate any challenges with this added complexity,” Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Sue Henry said at a news conference Thursday.
“At this stage, we no longer require that additional co-ordination . . . I want to stress that the lifting of the state of local emergency does not mean things have gone back to normal,” Henry added.
The pipe carrying water from the Bearspaw treatment plant to the rest of the city is running at half its capacity and 70 per cent of its operating pressure as city officials continue to monitor the stress of water on the pipe.
Francois Bouchard, director of the city’s capital priorities and investment, said the city is working on two goals: “We’re monitoring to ensure that the system is stabilizing through these changes, and we’re testing the waters to ensure quality and safety.”
The city is also inspecting the 11-kilometre-long feeder main using a tool called a pipe diver, looking for any wire breaks or areas of “distress,” added Bouchard.
Although the device takes 12 hours to run the length of the pipe, he said the city will receive its results within four weeks.
Some restrictions remain in place: ‘We’ve come too far to endanger our progress’
So far, the city hasn’t found any glitches as the pipe operates at reduced capacity.
However, to balance a reduced supply, the city is retaining its Stage 4 restrictions on outdoor use, which include a fire ban, and forbid people from watering their lawns, sideways, walkways and swimming pools.
Officials added Thursday marks the end of their daily news updates on the city’s efforts to stabilize the feeder main. Future news conferences will be held for significant announcements, Henry said.
“I recognize there’s a feeling of not a lot of news right now, and this can be frustrating and you feel the urgency to get back to full use.
“When we come back to full service, we want to come back the right way — this needs slow, steady progress and one step at a time.
“We’ve come too far to endanger our progress by relaxing outdoor water restrictions too soon.”