City officials stress water conservation as feeder main repair timeline updated

The problem section of the water feeder main that ruptured in Calgary is being repaired, but that doesn't mean water supply worries are ending any time soon.

During a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, city officials continued to urge residents to limit their water use.

Francois Bouchart, the director of capital priorities and investment with the city's infrastructure services department, said that "the situation is still critical."

"Water usage is creeping up," Bouchart said during Wednesday's press conference.

Bouchart said he understands Calgarians may be experiencing warning fatigue, but nevertheless, conservation needs to be top of mind.

He said the feeder main that broke delivers 60 per cent of the water we use to the city, so such large repairs take time.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek spoke Wednesday at the city's regular update on the water main break and said the city's water use Tuesday increased from the day before.

"Preliminary numbers show us that water use yesterday was 480 million litres, which is up slightly from the day before," said Gondek.

"But it's at the threshold that we want to try to maintain. It's also down 100 million litres from our average at this time of year."

Gondek said the repair plan has three main stages:

Sue Henry, chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), asked Calgarians to double down on their water conservation efforts.

"There is some good news for your gardens and your yards this coming weekend. Nature is stepping up to help us out. Rain and cooler weather are on the horizon," she said.

Calgarians can expect water restrictions to continue into mid-next week.

Nancy Mackay, director of water services for the City of Calgary, said Wednesday that crews have now inspected 1.8 kilometres of the rest of the pipe.