Calgarians will learn Monday if they can return to normal outdoor water habits, as city officials are expected to provide more information on next steps and what that means for water restrictions.
The city is set to provide an update to the public at 9:30 a.m.
Calgary has been under Stage 3 water restrictions since Saturday, July 6, which allows for things like hand watering from a watering can or other container, watering new sod or grass seed, and water use for construction purposes and home renovation projects.
However, exceptions were made to allow for the filling of pools last week due to record-breaking heat.
In order to lower outdoor water restrictions and allow more outdoor water use, crews need to increase the flow of water through the feeder main by turning on additional pumps at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant, officials said Sunday.
While this is the next step in getting more water to Calgary and surrounding areas, it will also increase the amount of pressure and potential stress on the walls of the feeder main.
This is why the city says it is being cautious with its next move.
Last week, three snaps were found in different segments of the feeder main pipe. Officials explain the wire coils hundreds of times around each 16-foot segment of pipe, so a single snap isn’t a sign that a new break in the pipe is imminent, but it does provide information about how the pipe is responding to pressure.
As of Sunday afternoon, no other wire snaps had been found along the feeder main.
CityNews660 with carry the update live.