Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Calgary mayor warns water use too high as possible end to restrictions nears

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Jun, 2024 05:24 PM
  • Calgary mayor warns water use too high as possible end to restrictions nears

Calgary's mayor said it's unfortunate residents seem to have abandoned conservation efforts days before full water service is expected to be restored.

Jyoti Gondek said Calgarians on Thursday blew past the daily threshold the city set to maintain water service after a massive water main ruptured three weeks ago.

She said if Calgarians don't bring down their use over the long weekend by 25 per cent firefighters may not have enough to battle blazes.

"It feels a little bit like some of you have given up, Calgary," Gondek said Friday at a news conference.

"I have been using a bucket of water saved from the shower to do dishes that we have in the house. I have had to skip showers to conserve water. I understand what you are all going through because I'm in this with all of you," she said. 

"I'm not giving up and, frankly, you can't either."

She said daily water usage crept up the entire week, and Thursday's use was the highest since the city imposed its mix of voluntary and mandatory restrictions. Residents used 500 million litres of water Thursday, which was 20 million litres more than the daily limit.

Almost every day since the June 5 pipe break, Gondek has asked Calgary's 1.6 million residents and those in surrounding communities to restrict their indoor water use by flushing their toilets less often, taking three-minute showers and doing fewer loads of laundry.

Outdoor water use has been banned. Residents have been encouraged to rely on rainwater for their gardens.

Restrictions were expected to be lifted Monday. The pipeline break and five other problem areas have been fixed and crews were to finish pumping millions of litres of water through 4.5 kilometres of replacement pipe Friday night.

Immediately after that, workers were to begin flushing the water. The water also has to be tested to ensure it's safe to drink.

Until that work is complete, Gondek said, she's "counting on (Calgarians) to keep saving water."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Optimistic, but aware: wet weather easing Fort Nelson fire fears

Optimistic, but aware: wet weather easing Fort Nelson fire fears
The mayor of Fort Nelson says the community is feeling more comfortable after a week of wet weather and a downgraded drought threat, but that doesn't mean they're blind to the risk of wildfires that still exists in the region.

Optimistic, but aware: wet weather easing Fort Nelson fire fears

No deaths in Winnipeg house blast, no confirmed cause yet: police

No deaths in Winnipeg house blast, no confirmed cause yet: police
Police say the occupants of a Winnipeg home destroyed in an explosion have been located and are safe. They say a father and daughter who lived in the home left before the blast and were found later in the day.

No deaths in Winnipeg house blast, no confirmed cause yet: police

B.C. homes and businesses to be eligible for rebates for rooftop solar systems

B.C. homes and businesses to be eligible for rebates for rooftop solar systems
British Columbia's public power utility says for the first time it will provide rebates for the installation of rooftop solar and battery storage systems for residents and businesses.  BC Hydro says in a news release that eligible homeowners can receive rebates up to $10,000 for installing a qualified solar and battery storage system, while apartment buildings, schools, businesses and others could get from $50,000 to $150,000 back. 

B.C. homes and businesses to be eligible for rebates for rooftop solar systems

Higher share of foreign workers became permanent residents in recent years: StatCan

Higher share of foreign workers became permanent residents in recent years: StatCan
Foreign workers have been making the transition to permanent residency at higher rates in recent years, Statistics Canada says. A new report from the federal agency shows that between 2016 and 2020, 23 per cent of foreign workers had become permanent residents two years after obtaining their first work permits.

Higher share of foreign workers became permanent residents in recent years: StatCan

Major Calgary corridor closed due to water rupture three weeks ago set to reopen

Major Calgary corridor closed due to water rupture three weeks ago set to reopen
Commuter traffic is returning to normal in Calgary following a major water main break three weeks ago. Calgary's mayor says the avenue above the repaired water main is set to reopen Friday.

Major Calgary corridor closed due to water rupture three weeks ago set to reopen

Unprovoked spat on female

Unprovoked spat on female
Coquitlam R-C-M-P say they are looking for a man who spat unprovoked at another pedestrian before fleeing. Police say the assault happened while the victim, a female pedestrian, was walking on a sidewalk in the early evening hours near Coquitlam Centre when she was spat on.

Unprovoked spat on female