National

Calgary mayor sticks to Stampede opening day for possible main water fix

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Jun, 2024 11:20 AM

Calgary's mayor is sticking to opening day of the Stampede as a best-case scenario for the full resumption of water services in the city.

But Jyoti Gondek warns that unforeseen problems could delay repairs to a catastrophic water main break that has forced citywide use restrictions for more than two weeks.

Update on Water Situation (Thursday June 20, 8:30 am)

It’s possible that the feedermain could be restored by July 5. Regular progress updates will tell us more.

Great job conserving water yesterday, with 454 mill litres used. Keep it up!https://t.co/AAPR1LcISC
— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) June 20, 2024

Gondek says the Stampede rodeo and fair, which starts July 5, is still in talks with neighbouring communities about trucking in water for both crowds and animals at the event.

Meanwhile, she says, three sections of new pipe are ready to be installed to replace sections where inspections had revealed weaknesses.

Two more pieces are being cleaned and prepared.

Gondek says Calgarians continue to conserve drinking water and are on their fifth straight day of using less than the city is able to make.

"Work could be done as early as July 5," Gondek said Thursday.

"We have to be prepared that a potential site may require a bit more repair than we had expected, or that water testing is going to take a little bit longer.

"Hang in there with me."

Calgary, a city of 1.6 million people, and surrounding municipalities have been under a combination of mandatory and voluntary water restrictions since the pipe ruptured June 5.

All outdoor watering is banned and people have been urged to reduce toilet flushes, take shorter showers and do fewer loads of laundry and dishes.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Wildfire growth prompts another evacuation order in northeastern B.C.

A wildfire just outside the community of Fort Nelson has grown as residents in British Columbia's northeast receive more evacuation orders. An updated estimate from the BC Wildfire Service says the blaze spans 84 square kilometres, a significant increase since Monday, when it was mapped at about 53 square kilometres in size.

Wildfire growth prompts another evacuation order in northeastern B.C.

Canadian short story legend, Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro has died

Short story legend Alice Munro, whose intricate tales depicting small-town southwestern Ontario earned her an international fanbase and the Nobel Prize in literature, has died at age 92. Penguin Random House Canada said Tuesday that Munro died Monday in her home in Port Hope, Ont.

Canadian short story legend, Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro has died

B.C. moves to cap rent hikes for those in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

The B.C. government has introduced legislation that would allow the City of Vancouver to limit rent increases for new tenants in its poorest neighbourhood, the Downtown Eastside. The rent cap is for those living in single-room occupancy buildings where the government says rents have increased from $800 a month to as high as $1,950 a month.

B.C. moves to cap rent hikes for those in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

B.C. moves to prevent offender name changes after child killer legally gets new name

Offenders in British Columbia convicted of serious Criminal Code offences will no longer be permitted to legally change their names under legislation introduced today. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the proposed law would amend the province's Name Act to ensure people convicted of dangerous offences can't change their name.

B.C. moves to prevent offender name changes after child killer legally gets new name

Light rain expected to help Fort McMurray wildfire as Grande Prairie blaze to grow

The fire near the oilsands hub, northeast of Edmonton, had grown to about 65 square kilometres. Officials said that's because they have a more accurate estimate not because flames are spreading. The fire remained about 16 kilometres from the city of 68,000 people. A fire there in 2016 destroyed roughly 2,400 homes.

Light rain expected to help Fort McMurray wildfire as Grande Prairie blaze to grow

B.C., Ottawa put up nearly $254M to expand heat pump rebates

The B.C. and federal governments have set aside nearly $254 million to expand rebates to convert home heating and cooling systems to more climate-friendly options with a focus on low- and middle-income households. A joint statement from Environment Canada and B.C.'s Energy Ministry says Ottawa is providing up to $103.7 million while the province is adding up to $151 million to increase the number of households eligible for upgrades.