City officials lower water restrictions to Stage 2, allowing some outdoor watering

Calgary is able to ratchet its water restrictions down another notch as the city slowly recovers from a catastrophic rupture to a key water main, Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced Thursday.

She said the city was moving to Stage 2 outdoor water restrictions, meaning residents will finally be able to water their parched gardens and lawns — though with some limitations.

Sprinklers, soaker hoses and in-ground sprinkling systems are allowed to be used for only up to one hour per week. As well, people are only permitted to water on certain days, depending on their address or, in the case of multi-unit buildings, their unit number. 

House numbers ending with an even number can use a sprinkler Wednesday or Saturday, while house numbers ending with an odd number can use a sprinkler Thursday or Sunday.

Full details of the city's outdoor watering schedule can be found here. 

There are some instances when people can use outdoor watering without following the city's schedule. Those include watering with a hose that has a trigger spray nozzle or drip irrigation, hand watering using a watering can or other container, watering new grass with a sprinkler or irrigation system, and water use for pesticide or fertilizer application.

Some activities remain banned, including outdoor washing of cars, windows, exterior building surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or walkways. Filling fountains or other decorative features, except bird baths, is not permitted.

Professional window washers, however, are able to resume their work.

People who violate the restrictions face fines starting at $600.

Gondek spoke with some relief about the move to Stage 2 restrictions.

"First, it means that you are able to provide more care for your gardens, your flowers and your trees," she said.

"But most importantly, it means that Calgary's water infrastructure has held up as we increased speed of flow in the pipes from the Bearspaw water treatment facility."

She said since city crews began increasing the speed of flows in the line, they have not detected any signs of stress on the pipe, which would be signalled by the sound of wire snaps or other unusual activity.

The City of Calgary has been gradually lifting restrictions on water use, though officials continue to urge residents to ease back into their regular water-use habits as crews work to fully stabilize the system and monitor how the city's water system will respond to the easing of water conservation measures.