‘People are tired’: Calgary officials say new round of water cuts won’t be as disastrous – Calgary

City officials are seeking to reassure Calgarians that water restrictions required for more pipe repairs starting next week won’t be as severe as the first time.

“We have been under some degree of restrictions since June 5 and I know a lot of people are tired,” Francois Bouchart, director of capital and investment priorities, said Tuesday.

“We know we’re asking a lot of you, and we wouldn’t be asking it if we didn’t need these efforts to protect Calgary’s water supply during the winter.”

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But Bouchart said disruptions should be minimal because the supply line will not have to be shut off. More stringent precautions will be taken to prevent driveways and entrances to businesses from being blocked, he added.

A massive water main break in early June led to weeks of severe water restrictions, including a ban on watering lawns, demands for shorter showers and smaller loads of laundry, and a ban on outdoor fires.

Most of the restrictions were lifted earlier this month when the city announced an analysis had found several more problem spots on the 10-kilometre-plus pipeline in northwest Calgary.

The sweeping water restrictions will resume on Monday and last for about a month so that pipes can be dug up and reinforced with concrete in those areas.

Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth told reporters the city has learned its lessons from the initial pipeline rupture. This time, there will be no need to ban fires or hot work, which includes electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing or operations that produce flames or sparks.

“Because our friends in the water department have assured us that we will have the pressure, flow and volume of water we need to fight fires from the hydrants, we have decided to reduce our consumption compared to the last experience.”