Calgary turning on another water pump at Bearspaw plant

The City of Calgary is turning on an additional pump at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant on Wednesday and will be monitoring the key feeder main over the next few days for any new problems.

The news came in an afternoon update fromFrancois Bouchart, the City of Calgary's director of capital priorities and investment.

"If this goes well, it could help us get to 75 per cent flow through the feeder main," Bouchart said. "As in the past, we will monitor the system for a few days, constantly watching pressure, listening for wire snaps, and tracking water demand.

"This monitoring will help inform our decision about whether to lift water restrictions further."

The city used about 631 million litres of water on Tuesday, down from639 million litres on Monday. That was expected as Calgary moved from Stage 2 to Stage 1 outdoor water use restrictions.

Bouchart notes maintenance work at both the Bearspaw and Glenmore water treatment plants is now complete, and both plants are "continuing to operate well."

Bouchart will provide another update at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Calgary has been experiencingongoing water supply issues that were triggered by a catastrophic failurein the Bearspaw south feeder main on June 5.

On Tuesday,Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondekannouncedthe movedown to Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions.

WATCH | City officials discuss decision to loosen water use restrictions:

City provides update on Calgary's water system

1 month ago

Duration 29:35

The City of Calgary provides an update on the June 5 water feeder main rupture that affected its treated water supply.

Under Stage 1 outdoor water use restrictions, the use of sprinklersand in-ground sprinkling systems are permitted for longer periods.

Residents are now allowed to water using those methods for up to two hours per weekbut still must follow the city's watering schedule even number addresses are permitted to water onWednesday or Saturday, and oddnumber addresses are allowed to waterThursday or Sunday.

Up to two hours of watering with sprinklers and in-ground systems is allowed between these hours, according to the city's website:

• 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

"Just like in Stage 2, you can use a hose with a trigger nozzle at any time," said Gondek.

Under Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions, the following water-related activities remain prohibited:

• Washing driveways and sidewalks.
• Washing vehiclesin the driveway or street.
• Washing windows or exterior building surfaces, unless it's done by a business licensed to do so.
• Filling fountains and decorative water features. Bird baths, however, are allowed.

Other water main breaks now fixed

Bouchartaddressed an additional water main break during Wednesday afternoon's newsconference at City Hall.

He said the water main break along 15th Avenue S.W. that was affecting500 homes and 10 businesses was fixed and water was restored last night.

Officials have previouslysaidthe water team did expect to see more breaks as the water distribution system was being stabilized across much of the city.

Bowness Road N.W. completely reopened Tuesday after a water main breakin that area occurred Friday.

Calgaryis actively working on a long-term rehabilitation plan for the feeder main.

The results of the PipeDiver inspection are expected at the end of the monthand will be incorporated into the plan.