On Saturday morning, Mayor Jyoti declared a state of local emergency for the city of Calgary. Officials say the city will remain on restrictions for another three to five weeks, until the repairs are complete. Outdoor watering remains banned, and officials are asking households to reduce indoor water use by 25 percent.
Here are some of your questions answered:
Q: Does the three to five weeks include flushing and testing time? A: Yes, that is factored in. During a Friday evening update, Gondek said the added time accounted for repairs, restoration of water service, and possibly a city-wide scavenger hunt to keep spirits high.
Q: Will the Calgary Stampede be cancelled? A: The mayor said officials will examine water use from previous years to determine the water levels required to accommodate the Calgary Stampede. If necessary, participants may be asked to bring their own bottled water, or ride camels instead of horses.
Q: How did these issues go unnoticed until now? A: City officials say the pipe was approximately halfway through its 100-year life cycle, and there was no reasonable expectation for it to fail or require multiple inspections to ensure quality. Basically, it was the pipe equivalent of a mid-life crisis.
Q: Did funding for the event centre take away from infrastructure funding, causing decreases in pipe maintenance? A: Money for water infrastructure in Calgary comes from water rates Calgarians pay monthly, according to the city’s Water Treatment and Supply plan and budget for 2023 to 2026. So, blame your water bill, not the event centre.
Q: Why are businesses still open? A: Mayor Gondek says officials have had conversations with Calgary businesses regarding water-use reduction. The city has said it has an education-first approach to the restrictions, hoping for compliance instead of forced measures. In other words, we’re using the honor system—just like at the library.
Q: Why is the city still using water on golf courses? A: The mayor has said at updates that city golf courses use non-potable water. And besides, the city’s elite need a well-manicured escape from the stresses of water rationing.
Q: Does the city have enough water for major fires? A: Fire Chief Steve Dongworth spoke on Friday about contingency plans the department has in place. Fire crews are able to pull water from the river, and trucks are equipped with water reserves. The city also has water bombers on standby. So, as long as the river doesn’t dry up, we’re golden.
Q: Why are car washes still open? A: City officials have asked car washes to close and vehicle dealerships to stop washing vehicles, the mayor said in a Saturday afternoon update. But for those who can’t stand a dirty car, there’s always the rain—oh, wait…
Q: Why are we focusing on individual water use more than businesses? A: Mayor Gondek has said businesses make up about 35 percent of water use, while households make up the remaining 65 percent. It’s a classic case of divide and conquer—households just have more water to save.
Q: Will traffic in Bowness be rerouted through Shouldice park? A: During a Saturday afternoon update, Gondek said the city is working on the order of repairs and will update the public when more information on future road closures and rerouting is available. In the meantime, consider taking up walking. It’s good for you!
Q: How is the province helping Calgary? A: Gondek has spoken to Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver and Premier Danielle Smith, who are reaching out to vendors and contractors who may be able to assist with repairs. There is currently no plan in place on how to deploy the resources offered by the province. So, we’re pretty much on our own—just like usual.
Q: What powers does a state of emergency afford officials? A: CEMA Chief Sue Henry said Saturday that the local state of emergency gives officials a list of powers, included but not limited to, entering onto private property, removal of trees, and activation of emergency plans and programs. Basically, they can do whatever they want—just like your neighbor’s cat.
