Non-potable water is available to Calgarians for gardening and other uses Sunday as the city continues to encourage reducing their water supply amid water main repairs.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the water is available at the Ogden Boat Launch and Baker Park on the Bow River.
“We want to remind you only to take what you need. It’s a temporary fix,” she said.
“It’s not intended for large-scale water collection, but just as a short-term solution, so you can get some water to your gardens and to your plants.”
She also reminds Calgarians the water is not treated and is unsafe for consumption, so says not to fill up containers for drinking use.
Gondek also says the city is looking at expanding the number of locations where non-potable water will be available for collection, but didn’t clarify where or when this would be available.
“I’m going to encourage you to continue to collect rainwater wherever you can, and however, you can use any containers that are available to you, and make sure that you are securing those containers properly to look out for kids or pets or wildlife that may have access to them,” she said.
The Alberta government expedited permits for the move to use the river water, which construction crews had access to days prior.
Meanwhile, water use for Saturday was 451 million litres, well below the 480 million litre threshold.
“That was the first time in three days that we were able to get it down to this number,” Gondek said.
“I know you had to dig a little deeper to find extra ways to conserve water, and that was fantastic.”
Businesses struggle during water shortage and repairs
Montogomery businesses have been struggling financially, and the mayor is encouraging residents to explore the businesses and restaurants in the area.
She says many have been experiencing the “lowest sales numbers they’ve seen in a very, very long time.”
“If you are driving by the area on a detour, or you’re looking for something to do on this sunny Sunday, I would really encourage you to consider stopping by some of the shops, restaurants, and cafes in Montgomery,” Gondek said.
“They could use your business and I think you might find some pretty cool stuff here.”
Watch: Businesses struggle during water restriction
Gondek says “Things are still looking pretty good” for the water supply to normalize by the July 5 target.
This comes after the city said Wednesday that the original three-to-five-week timeline given last Friday is closer to being on the lower end of the timeline — which happens to land on the first day of the Calgary Stampede.
When it comes to repairs, she revealed that crews are mostly working on the welding
“Crews are out there welding the adapters that are going to be needed to attach the new steel section of pipe to the existing pipe. So that’s what they’re focused on,” she said.
“That means we need to keep saving water for just under two more weeks.”
The city said Saturday that the damaged pipe has been completely removed and the city is moving towards installing the new parts.
Sections of the removed pipe are being stored so they can become part of the independent review.
The city has called for a third-party investigation into what caused the rupture along the Bearspaw south feedermain. A section of the pipe burst on June 5 and caused flooding along 16 Avenue NW near Home Road.
All outdoor watering is banned and people have been urged to reduce toilet flushes, take shorter showers and do fewer loads of laundry and dishes.
More details on the repairs are expected Sunday at 2 p.m.