Calgary water supply could be restored July 1, Canada Day fireworks to continue as planned

The underground repair work on the Bearspaw south feeder main was completed on Tuesday, and city officials say step one of the restoration process will begin on Wednesday, meaning there are still several days to go until Calgary's water supply is fully restored.

Michael Thompson, the City of Calgary's general manager of infrastructure services, says the restoration could be complete ahead of the city's previously announced three to five-week timeline.

"The new, best-case scenario for easing indoor water saving measures could be July 1. However, this is if all steps go perfectly," said Thompson on Wednesday afternoon.

"And as mentioned previously, we're still managing a significant amount of risk."

On Wednesday afternoon, Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) chief Sue Henry says the City of Calgary's Canada Day-related fireworks will go on as planned. 

"Under the current fire ban, fireworks are allowed on a case-by-case basis," she said.

The Bearspaw south feeder main — a large pipe responsible for carrying treated water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to the rest of the city — ruptured on June 5. 

Its rupture led to outdoor water restrictions, with the city also urging residents and businesses to cut back on their own use to maintain enough water for emergencies, such as fighting fires and use in hospitals.

On Tuesday afternoon, city officials said narrowing down an exact date for when all water-related restrictions will be lifted is difficult, and even though the underground repair work is complete, the next stage of bringing the city's water supply back to full capacity is just getting started. 

For now, the city is still "days away from regular water flow," according to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. In the meantime, the water network is still relying on the smaller, older Glenmore Treatment Plant to supply the Calgary area with the majority of its water.

Crews began the cleanup work surrounding the Bearspaw south feeder main on Tuesday, including backfilling the excavation sites. The mayor says repaving certain sections of torn-up road will begin today.

City of Calgary director of capital priorities and investment, Francois Bouchart, says that because the system has "undergone a major shock," crews need to move carefully. 

"We have four steps: filling the feeder main, flushing the feeder main, testing the water and then stabilizing the system," said Bouchart during the Tuesday afternoon update.

"This is delicate work. Each one of these steps carries risk, and it's likely that we could have some setbacks along the way."