BILD Calgary Region Bulletin 2024 – 49

From:Matthew Achtymichuk, Senior Communications Advisor
Date:September 13, 2024
Subject:Bearspaw South Feeder Main Repair Weekly Update #4 (September 12, 2024)

Please find a membership update bulletin provided by The City of Calgary regarding the Bearspaw South Feeder Main Repair.

Good afternoon,

This email is to update you on the status of the repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main.

  • We now expect to be able to reopen roads and bring the feeder main back into service sooner than originally anticipated.
  • This weekend we expect to begin pouring concrete at the last repair segment on Site 5, ahead of the original schedule.
  • We anticipate removing current construction detours and opening 16th Avenue on Monday, September 16th, with localized lane closures for access to manholes. Though it will be much sooner than originally anticipated, approximately a week ahead of schedule, the timeline for reopening is dependent on the weather due to the rain in the forecast.
  • This Monday, we will start filling the feeder main with water, which is the first step in our path to bringing the feeder main back into service.
  • We anticipate being able to lift all water restrictions the weekend of Saturday, September 21st and Sunday, September 22nd.

Repair Status 

  • Repairs are now moving into the final stages at most of our remaining repair sites.
  • At 33 Ave. N.W. and Shouldice Park (Sites 1-4), we have completed all 12 pipe repairs. Yesterday, we completed backfilling at Site 1 and completed the first stage of paving at Sites 2 and 3. Repair work is complete at Site 4 in Shouldice Park, all equipment has been removed. Work will continue on all sections of 33 Ave. to complete curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway reinstatement and landscaping.
  • At 33 Ave N.W at 86 St. (Site 5) one remaining excavation is ongoing at the final site on 33 Ave N.W.
  • At 16th Ave (Sites 6-8) excavation and concrete pouring are complete at all sites and concrete forms have been removed. Backfilling is in progress and paving work will follow.

Water Demand Status

  • Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions remain in effect. We are also continuing to ask businesses and residents to reduce water use indoors.
  • Over the past week, water demand has ranged from 481 to 509 million litres per day (MLD), averaging around 495 MLD. For the past two days, demand has been below 485 MLD, putting us in the green zone where we can operate the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant sustainably, without undue strain.
  • The City is abiding by Stage 4 Watering Restrictions and has cut indoor water use as well.  There are certain instances when we are still using or appearing to use potable water for health and safety or infrastructure maintenance:
    • You may see crews opening and letting water run from fire hydrants. This is to remove any sediment and contaminants that may have entered the pipes during repair work. Flushing is an essential part of repairs and is needed to meet legislated water quality requirements.
    • We may also use water to remove any biohazards from City property or infrastructure. This may appear to be the cleaning of sidewalks or vehicles. This again is for the purposes of removing contaminants and for health and safety reasons.
    • This time of year, The City conducts necessary maintenance on its underground irrigation systems in preparation for winter. This includes using air pressure to clear existing water from the lines at 500 parks, athletic and sports parks, golf courses, green spaces, and cemeteries. This ensures that during winter the water in the pipes doesn’t freeze and cause damage to the lines. Although it may appear that the sprinklers are running, it is water that has been trapped in the lines being forced out. The water being flushed out is existing water that has been sitting in the pipes and does not impact water-saving efforts.
  • At the start of the restrictions, our Recreation facilities adjusted by closing hot tubs and steam rooms, making changes to reduce the amount of water used in cleaning, and changing some programming. We are now taking some additional steps to help even more:
    • Showers have been turned off at City-operated arenas, athletic parks and the Calgary Soccer Centre.
    • City arenas are using non-potable water or non-City potable water to flood ice surfaces, saving approximately 170,000 litres of water each day, and the Murray Copot arena ice is being installed using non-City water.
  • We offer our sincere thanks to residents, businesses, and our regional neighbours for their collective steps to save water. This reflects some of the encouraging community spirit we have seen over the past weeks, with neighbours sharing water-saving tips, and businesses going above and beyond.
  • We also acknowledge the landscaping industry, which has significantly reduced its water use and made substantial sacrifices to support this urgent repair work.

Upcoming

  • We still need everyone’s help to continue to save water. This means taking small steps inside and not using City water outside while we remain in Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions.
  • We anticipate removing current construction detours and opening 16th Avenue on Monday, September 16th, with localized lane closures for access to manholes. Though it will be much sooner than originally anticipated, approximately a week ahead of schedule, the timeline for reopening is dependent on the weather due to the rain in the forecast.
  • This Monday, we will start filling the feeder main with water, which is the first step in our path to bringing the feeder main back into service. This will take about three days. This is a little longer than last time, because we have a longer section of pipe to fill. While we are filling, we will be conducting ongoing water quality tests.
  • Water samples will be analyzed in a lab to ensure the water quality meets or exceeds all standards. This will take 24 hours, though if we don’t pass the test, we will need to conduct flushing and test again.
  • Once we have passed the test, we will stabilize the system. This means turning on pumps at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant and beginning to open valves to connect the feeder main to the rest of the water distribution system and conducting some flushing and test again.
  • The stabilization phase should take less than a day and involves turning on pumps at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant and beginning to open valves to connect the feeder main to the rest of the water distribution system.

Key Messages 

  • We cannot meet normal water demand while the repairs are taking place. If we consistently exceed our target of 485 million litres, we will be at risk of running out of water.
  • Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions are in place which prohibit the outdoor use of potable City water. For more information, visit calgary.ca/savewater.
  • A new non-potable water pick up location for commercial customers opened today at Graves Bridge boat launch. Businesses can bring their water trucks for filling at four locations free of charge, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Non-potable water stations – Commercial use
  • Bowness Road is very busy with both pedestrians and traffic. Please drive with care and obey all posted traffic signs when travelling near the repair sites.
  • We encourage residents and visitors to shop in the Bowness and Montgomery communities as these communities are impacted by the construction yet are still accessible.

Resources

We understand the return to Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions and indoor water reductions are challenging. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to limit water use so we can get through this repair period and return the Bearspaw South Feeder Main to service. Your efforts are truly making a difference.