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Published: June 6, 2024
The disruption of the water supply that left hundreds of homes without water on Wednesday evening led to a state of emergency in Alberta warning that the water supplies in Calgary are critical.
The regional alert, which was issued to mobile phones and local broadcast systems in Calgary at 6:37 AM, stated that the water outage along 16th Avenue NW has affected the city's ability to provide water to communities and ensure adequate water supply to support firefighting in emergencies.
The warning stated: “All residents and businesses must conserve water, do not bathe or wash dishes, or operate water-using appliances.”
During a press conference held this morning, Thursday, at the city’s emergency operations center, Sue Henry, head of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), described the water main break as a “critical situation.”
Henry said the cause of the “large and complex” break is still unknown.
The city also imposed a mandatory outdoor watering ban to conserve water for emergency firefighting needs and imposed a citywide fire ban.
Henry continued: “Every drop of water will be important, this is not the time for anything other than critical uses.”
For his part, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek noted the importance of clarifying the difference between the mandatory restrictions in place for outdoor use and the city's request for Calgary residents to limit water use indoors.
Gondek continued: “We are not saying you cannot give your children a bath,” adding that the provincial government remains informed and is working with the city to address the ongoing situation.
The break caused flooding on streets in the Bowness and Montgomery areas and forced the closure of several roads and intersections, including 16th Street in both directions.
The Trans-Canada Highway remained closed from Sarcee Trail to Home Road as of 8 AM on Thursday morning, and Calgary residents are asked to avoid the area during their morning commutes.
The city stated in a statement earlier on Thursday, as they issued a boil water advisory for the Bowness area, that: “This is a major disruption of a critical water source – referred to as the primary feed source – which delivers water throughout the city.” Alberta Health Services.
Nancy McKay, director of water services for the City of Calgary, added that the boil water advisory will be in effect in Bowness until further notice, but water in all other communities is safe to drink.
The break also affected water pressure in several other areas, including the communities of Parkdale, West Hillhurst, Hillhurst, and Scarborough.
The city stated in a statement on Thursday: “The city has enacted its municipal emergency plan, and we currently do not have an estimate of how long the boil water advisory or water restrictions will be necessary.”
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