INDUSTRY UPDATE: Watermain Commissioning During Stage 4 Water Restrictions

This bulletin is an update to BILD Bulletin 2024-30 pertaining to Watermain Commissioning During Stage 4 Water Restrictions.

The City of Calgary will allow potable water from the system to be used for pressure testing rather than potable water being hauled in, based on the following caveats:

1. Should city wide demands change drastically, the contractors will be asked to immediately shut down if the demands on the system exceed our water usage targets.  
2. If you are working in a municipality on the Calgary regional water system you must work with them directly to confirm their reservoirs and system can manage the water draw. 
3. A living schedule for the upcoming two weeks is to be provided to Kris Dietrich (kris.dietrich@calgary.ca), Manager of Trades and Subdivision Inspection prior to approval to proceed. The schedule is to indicate am or pm and will be revised on June 28.
4. No flushing will be permitted. Water is only for pressure testing as indicated.

For reference, attached is the current water schedule put together and submitted by Volker Stevin and Industry Contractors. 

Below is a sample plan for pressure testing and servicing.

Temporary Water Supply 

• Use City of Calgary water by opening valves to fill and pressure test water system. City of Calgary valve to be closed after testing.
• Watermain to be pressurized and tested before service install commences.

Tapping for Services “Work in advance of Permanent Water supply” 

• Hydrostatic pump will be used to maintain an operating pressure of >60psi.
• Installation of services will be done without initial chlorination.
• All services in advance of permanent water supply will be installed with pex pigtail brought to surface.
• After connection of permanent water, every service to be chlorinated and flushed.
• Minimum every 10 services to be sampled, service to be chosen at random and directed by City. The division of sampling work is proposed below:
  • The contractor will be responsible for sampling services and delivering them to the Provincial Lab for testing and approval.
  • The City of Calgary inspector will sample the mains only.
  • The sampling process may vary by municipality.
• After water restrictions are lifted all lines will be chlorinated/sampled and flushed to standard City off Calgary specifications.
• Pig tails to be plugged and backfilled.

Additional Notes/Constraints 

• If required and directed by City of Calgary Inspections; water to be drained from lowest tapped service and to be used for dust control, compaction, etc.
• All pex pig tails will be cut down to design elevation at builder tie-in stage.
• Scheduling for flushing and sampling will need to be coordinated with the assigned area Utility Inspector to ensure their availability.

BILD will continue to provide updates as soon as such updates are available, and we receive them.