Over the past few days, we experienced two significant issues — a pump failure and a malfunctioning component in our treatment process. The team responded swiftly to address these concerns, but these incidents highlight the risks associated with maintaining high operational pressures over extended periods.
With our water demand at 496 million litres, we are in the yellow zone which indicates a strained water plant system.
While we continue to push the system to provide water to our community there are two essential considerations we are actively managing:
- Ensuring neighborhood underground storage tanks are replenished to adequate levels. The more water we use the harder it is to refill.
- Safeguarding the Glenmore water treatment plant and pumping stations.
Our target of 485 million litres allows for safe and sustainable operations of the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant. With the Bearspaw Feeder Main out of service, currently the Glenmore plant is producing approximately 70 per cent of our water supply and at this time of year the Glenmore Plant normally produces about 30 per cent of our water supply.
When operating in our green zone we can continue to conduct necessary preventative maintenance to keep the plant running optimal for delivery of water to all Calgarians.
When demand trends between 485-500 million litres which is our yellow zone, the plant is working harder and preventive maintenance activities are more challenging to complete increasing the risk of an operational failure.
When we enter the red zone – above 500 – we begin running the risk of not being able to keep up with demand and it starts to become increasingly difficult to recover water storage in our underground storage tanks.
Bylaw and enforcement
We are actively enforcing outdoor water restrictions responding to water misuse complaints.
To date, total Bylaw complaints include 1,273 residential (262 commercial and 115 multi-family). A total of 26 violation tickets have been issued.
Calgarians who are seeing outdoor water misuse can continue to provide information related to these instances through the “Calgary 3-1-1” app or Calgary.ca/311. Our bylaw officers are actively following up.
Construction progress
Our construction is continuing to progress well, and we remain on schedule.
As of today, we have completed repairs on 12 of the 21 pipe segments.
On Sites 1-4, which are located on 33rd Avenue N.W. and at Shouldice Park, we have completed all 12 pipe repairs for these four sites.
We are now in the final stages of backfilling and paving to bring the road back into service.
Excavation activities continue at Site 5, which is the final site on 33 Avenue at 86th Street N.W.
One excavation is complete while the other two continue today.
Excavation is complete at three of the six segments at Sites six to eight which is on 16th Avenue N.W.
Rebar materials have been installed at two sites in preparation for concrete pouring on Monday.
As we continue our repair work, we ask that Calgarians be mindful of their speed to ensure the safety of the public and the workers on site.
As a reminder, 16th Avenue N.W. is closed from 46 Street to 41 Street, with traffic being detoured onto Bowness Road. Bowness Road is fully open in both directions with direct access to 16th Avenue and businesses.
We encourage Calgarians to support local during this time and want you to know that Bowness and Montgomery are open for business.
For the latest updates and information and can sign up for email updates by visiting our webpage at calgary.ca/savewater.
