21 pipe segments of Bearspaw south water main need rehabilitation, 16 to 18 dig sites expected

CBC

August 15, 2024 at 4:37 p.m.·3 min read

Earlier this month, the City of Calgary announced that the city's most critical feeder main needs further urgent repairs following its rupture on June 5. As a result, Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions are set to return on Aug. 26. (Ivanoh Demers/CBC - image credit)

City of Calgary officials announced on Thursday that crews will be conducting repairs on 21 segments of the Bearspaw south feeder main in total along 33rd Avenue and 16th Avenue N.W.

"We will conduct these repairs first, then there will be an additional two pipe segment repairs on Parkdale Boulevard and near Crowchild Trail," Michael Thompson, general manager of infrastructure services, told reporters.

"We have increased the number of pipe segments to be repaired as there are additional repairs that are adjacent to the urgent repairs that are currently needed and we are taking care of all of them at the same time."

The most urgent repairs and Stage 4 water restrictions are scheduled to occur between Aug. 26 and Sept. 23, a date the city says is subject to change as crews work through repairs and visually inspect the pipe.

A map of the approximate locations where the Bearspaw south feeder main will be rehabilitated. (City of Calgary)

Once those repairs have been completed, the two additional repairs will be done on Parkdale Boulevard between 26th and 27th streets and on Broadview Road near Crowchild Trail. According to the city, those additional repairs will not require citywide water reductions.

Thompson says because a number of the locations involve multiple pipe segments, there will be 16 to 18 excavation sites.

"This is our current plan, but it's important to note that it may change as our work evolves, as we expose the pipe and inspect its physical condition."

The 21 total segments of pipe to be fixed is more than the previously reported 16 segments, which Thompson says is due to further analysis of the PipeDiver data, which was gathered throughout July as crews monitored the feeder main's return to service.

"While we are not in a state of emergency, recent data has highlighted certain areas of the feeder main are at risk of failure. Addressing these issues will help us avoid an unplanned break, a breakdown that could disrupt our water supply," said Nicole Newton, the city's manager of natural environment and adaptation, during Thursday's water supply press conference.

"We must complete these repairs within a specific time frame to ensure that Calgary's water supply remains stable throughout the winter."

As of Friday morning, bylaw officers had attended eight calls for fires and 56 calls for misuse of water, according to the City of Calgary.

Calgary remains under Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions until it is escalated to Stage 4 on Aug. 26. (Helen Pike/CBC)

Thursday's announcement comes after the city revealed that the Bearspaw south feeder main — the city's most critical treated water main — needs further urgent repairs following its rupture on June 5.

As a result, Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions, which are the most restrictive stage, are set to return on Aug. 26. Calgary remains under citywide Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions until then.

During the repair phase, the city will ask all residents and businesses to reduce indoor water use.

"This is crucial to ensure we have enough water for everyone during the repair phase," said Newton.

What residents can expect

City crews will be on site throughout Thursday marking the repair locations along the land above the feeder main and indicating which areas will be impacted by construction.

Thompson says residents may notice different colours of paint on the road and small flags planted in the ground in any locations where other utilities are indicated.

He also added that while crews may need to enter private property, such as front or back lawns, they will not need to enter any homes or businesses.

The city will also be installing a new monitoring system inside the pipe to understand its health more closely, and the city says crews will be installing fibre optic cable inside the pipe next week.

"As we prepare for the feeder main repair work and proceed with the installation of the fibre optic cable, you may see single lane closures of roadways to support us in completing our work," said Thompson.

"These small enclosures are required to assist us with safely completing the preparation work and we thank you for your patience."

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