Calgary water system repairs ‘could be done sooner than expected’: Mayor

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said if all goes to plan, the city could see water service return to normal sooner than expected.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said if all goes to plan, the city could see water service return to normal sooner than expected.

Last week, city officials said they were eyeing July 5 as the potential completion date – the same day the Calgary Stampede starts.

“That date is still a good guideline, but what we’ve heard from the team today is that it’s possible if things go according to plan, that we might see an earlier timeline. It’s hard to say,” Gondek said.

In an update Tuesday afternoon, Gondek said the repair work on the five hot spots along the main feeder line is done.

Paving the sections of 16th Avenue Northwest that were dug up for the repairs will begin “very soon,” Gondek added, along with site cleanup.

From there, the pipe will be filled and flushed, then the water will be tested to ensure it is safe to drink. The entire system will then need to be stabilized.

Gondek said work to return to regular water service “could be done sooner than expected.”

However, officials warned there is still a lot of work to be done and there is still a risk of setbacks along the way.