Third pump at the Bearspaw treatment plant turned off as a precaution in response to the recent discovery of snapped wires in critical water main
Calgary will remain at Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions for now, with a pump at the Bearspaw treatment plant turned off as a precaution in response to the recent discovery of snapped wires in a critical water main.
The Bearspaw South Feeder Main is currently operating at 70 per cent capacity, the city said Friday, and is able to meet current water demand.
“However, based on what we know so far, and in light of the recent wire snaps we’ve heard, we’ve made a decision out of caution to turn off the third pump at the Bearspaw water treatment plant,” said Michael Thompson, Calgary’s general manager of infrastructure services.
“We will remain at Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions for the immediate future.”
With the feeder main operating at 70 per cent capacity, the city would not be able to meet water demand if outdoor restrictions were lifted entirely, Thompson said.
Watch the City of Calgary’s video update here:
Given the decision to remain at Stage 1 restrictions, the city will pause its daily live video updates, Thompson added. Written updates would continue to be provided daily through the city’s social media channels.
Additional information on the pipe diver’s findings, the plan for further repairs to the water main, and the cost of the city’s response to the water emergency are expected to be shared next week.
Officials have said previously wire snaps are not a sign of a new water main break being imminent, but they do allow them to learn how the feeder main is responding to pressure increases.