(Calgary) Calgarians were urged Friday to continue reducing their water use as work to repair a major water main extended into a second day.
“The current water level cannot continue,” said Nancy Mackay, the city’s water services director. “If we don’t reduce our water use even further, we risk running out of water.”
One area of the city remained under a boil water advisory. A citywide fire ban was in effect.
All Calgarians have been asked to reduce their water consumption by a quarter compared to what they consumed the day before.
Outdoor water use, such as washing cars or watering plants, has been banned. Citizens have been asked to shorten their showers, not do dishes or laundry and only flush toilets when necessary.
“We all need to reduce our water consumption further,” Ms Mackay said.
The water warning was initially issued on Thursday. Officials said there was a significant reduction in water consumption until the afternoon, but increased by the time most people returned from work.
The city sent nine tanker cars to the Bowness neighborhood in the northwest of the city, where residents were asked to boil tap water for at least one minute before using it.
Emergency Management Agency chief Sue Henry said bylaw officers responded to 56 reports of water misuse and nine fire-related calls.
Businesses have been asked to stop using water for non-essential services. Hospitals, restaurants and businesses that use water to provide vital products or services or to meet health code standards were exempt.
No mandatory measures have been imposed on businesses.
Nancy Mackay said crews pumped water from the flooded area to expose the break for repairs.
“The goal today is to expose the portion of the water main that we believe is damaged and prepare the site location. This is a massive break that cannot be fixed in a day or two,” she noted.
“We need everyone to do their part. »
Normally, the city has between one and a half and two days’ worth of water in its reservoir system.