Calgary residents continued to conserve water on Saturday as the city's residents faced a significant disruption to the main water supply that is still days away from being repaired.

City Mayor Jyoti Gondek met with the media on Sunday, where she shared some encouraging figures about water consumption in Calgary since the main feed line burst last Wednesday.

The mayor stated that on that day, the city's water consumption reached 650 million liters.

Gondek said that by Friday, it had dropped to 484 million liters, a downward trend that continued on Saturday, when the unverified figure was 440 million liters.

She continued, "You can see how your efforts are paying off."

Gondek remarked that residents need to continue to reduce their water consumption until the broken pipe is repaired later this week.

She suggested, among other things, turning off timers on sprinklers, not making ice, only running dishwashers with full loads, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, and not flushing toilets except in emergencies.

In response to some of the more common questions she read on the city's website, she said the average citizen in Calgary uses 173 liters of water daily.

To meet the 25 percent reduction, each person would have to flush five times less per day or have two fewer kitchen sinks filled with water.

Communication Breakdown

Gondek also addressed the criticism directed at the city's communication during the main water disruption, particularly for residents in Bowness, some of whom are frustrated with the city's messages.

Gondek said, "I spoke to Molly and Logan and other volunteers from the Bowness Community Association and walked along the street with Jackie from the Bowness Business Improvement Association."

She added, "I asked them about their concerns and... they told me all the areas." "They want to know the timeline, and then perhaps more communication with residents regarding the boil water advisory."

She stated, "They need more signs about how to find water trucks in the community." She continued, "They also said we need to communicate in clear language and in other languages with people in the community who may not be proficient in English."

"They also want everyone to understand that the water in the trucks is safe to drink - this is not the water you need to boil."

Gondek also noted that there were no floods in Bowness and added that one person suggested that everyone who is physically able in Bowness should strive to be a "water buddy" for those who are not.

Gondek said she has already spoken with Chief Administrative Officer David Duckworth.

"I said it’s time to step up our game." "Our communications need to be clear and provide people with real examples of how to conserve water."

Infrastructure Maintenance

Gondek responded to questions regarding maintenance and inspection of city infrastructure in April, which it was said took place primarily near the water treatment facility in Bearsaw.

She said, "The maintenance was not where the break occurred in Bowness."

She added that the lifespan of the broken feed line was 100 years, while the line in Bowness is 50 years old.

She stated, "We are in the middle of the expected lifecycle for this piece of infrastructure."

She added that 98% of the city’s supply pipes are in good or very good condition, "and that this piece of infrastructure has also been checked to be in good condition."

"I can tell you Calgary is a leader in our country in terms of the fewest number of main water breaks."

She also expressed sympathy for gardeners who were told not to water their gardens.

“I would say that people’s concern for their gardens and plants is real.” “They’ve invested in their gardens. They’ve invested in growing plants, and I can understand why they need to water them.”

She added, "I would encourage people to maybe not do the most unsafe thing." "So I would encourage people to wait just a few days."

"If the repair process goes the way we hope, we’ll be back to normal by the end of next week. And if it takes a bit longer, I’m sure it's something we can manage."

Food and Groceries

Starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, groceries were distributed for free by Guru Nanak Free Kitchen Calgary at the Bowness Community Association, located at 7904 43 Ave. N.W.

Residents were asked to bring a grocery bag and a container to fill with water at the BCA's water trucks. Free water bottles were also available.

Volunteer Saroz Khun said, "Times are tough, but with the water shortage, things have become harder, and families have come out to buy water, which has cut into some of their other expenditures."

"Our slogan is to love everyone, feed everyone."

Selina Andriychuk lives at the Bowness Seniors Centre and was out helping bring water for other residents who have mobility challenges. She said it was great to see people working together to help each other.

Andriychuk said, "This is amazing. This is what brings Bowness together." "Thank you to all the volunteers and the community for making this happen."

The city will provide the next update on Monday at 8:30 a.m.