Calgary Mayor Stands Firm on Stampede Opening Day Despite Potential Water Main Repair

Calgary’s mayor is maintaining the opening day of the Stampede as the best-case scenario for fully restoring water services in the city.

However, Jyoti Gondek cautions that unexpected issues could potentially delay repairs to a devastating water main break that has led to citywide water use restrictions for over two weeks.

Ms. Gondek mentions that discussions are ongoing with neighbouring communities to bring in water through trucks for the Stampede rodeo and fair, kicking off on July 5, to cater to both the crowds and animals at the event.

At the same time, she reports that three sections of new pipe are set for installation to replace weakened sections identified during inspections, with two more pieces currently undergoing cleaning and preparation.

Ms. Gondek notes that residents of Calgary are continuing to conserve drinking water, managing to use less than the city’s production capacity for five consecutive days.

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“Work could be done as early as July 5,” Ms. Gondek stated on June 20.

“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 on June 5.

All outdoor watering is prohibited, and residents have been encouraged to limit toilet flushes, shorten showers, and reduce laundry and dishwashing.