City of Calgary declares state of local emergency over catastrophic water main break | CBC News

The City of Calgary has declared a state of local emergency to deal with the ongoing water crisis caused by the catastrophic break to the city’s main water feeder main pipe.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Sue Henry, Calgary’s Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) chief, made the announcement during the mayor’s daily news briefing Saturday morning.

“The decision to declare a state of local emergency was not taken lightly, and it was done to ensure we are prepared for all eventualities in the drive to have this water feeder main restoration work done as quickly and safely as possible,” Gondek said.

“I am grateful to the government of Alberta for endorsing this approach and offering their support as we address this critical water situation.”

Henry said the declaration is another sign of the seriousness of the situation.

“Under the state of local emergency, it allows for even more co-ordination of action, and is an indicator of the aggressive approach we are taking to restore full water service for all customers as soon as humanly possible,” said Henry.  

“This work is our top priority and we are bringing every tool in the toolbox to advance and support this massive construction effort, and to continue to ensure we have enough water for those critical life-safety needs.”

Gondek said she has spoken to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has offered full co-operation. She said that she is reaching out to the private sector to find solutions, calling it an “all hands on deck situation.”

The city announced Friday that it had discovered five additional sites — or “hot spots” — on the water feeder main in need of repair. The additional breaks mean repairs could take another three to five weeks, city officials said.

Gondek said that the multiple repair sites will make it necessary to store equipment on private property. The state of emergency will allow the city to do that.

Francois Bouchart, the director of capital priorities and investment with the city’s infrastructure services department, gave an update on the repair work at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

He said that, overnight, crews began draining the remaining 300 metres of pipe still needing robotic inspection for hot spots. That inspection was delayed, however, because more draining time was required.

Bouchart said the analysis should be completed on Monday.

WATCH | City officials update water feeder main repairs:

City provides new update on water main break

Calgary officials provide an update on the major water main break affecting the city’s water supply.

He also said that, after reaching out to other municipalities and water utilities across North America, the city had managed to secure enough pipe material to complete all the required repair work.

“Three of the pipe segments are here in Calgary, and the remaining two have been sourced from the U.S. and should arrive by mid-next week,” he said.

He said that city crews will complete initial surveys of the sites where pipe repair work is required within the next two days.

In a statement, Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver said the province supports the city’s decision to declare a state of local emergency.

“This step signifies the critical state of Calgary’s water infrastructure and the work that must happen expeditiously in order to return to normal,” the statement said.

McIver added that the province remains in regular communication with the city and will support Calgary “in any way that is needed.”

Both Gondek and Henry continued to stress the importance of conserving water Saturday morning.

“We are asking our citizens, businesses and partners to stay with us — to do what we know we must do — until we are back to regular service,” said Henry. 

Residents react to declaration

Calgarians interviewed by CBC News had mixed feelings about this morning’s emergency declaration.

Kevin Dong said it’s prompted him to consider changing his water-saving behaviour.

“Hearing that it’s a state of emergency makes it seem like I should do more,” said Dong. 

Kevin Scott said he doesn’t think the declaration makes the situation feel any more serious to city residents. 

“I think we’re in a situation about the boy or the girl who cried wolf … we’ve heard it many times and I don’t believe Calgarians will get the message unless they turn on their tap in the morning and no water comes out.”

Scott said he thinks it would have been more effective if the state of emergency had been declared sooner.

“I think the mayor has gotten ahead of it now, that wasn’t the case on the day that the [initial] broadcast was made, but the communication has been pretty good,” he said. 

Heather Brooke said she found out about the emergency declaration listening to morning radio. She said she was already limiting her water use before it was declared, and she doesn’t plan to do anything differently now.

“At some point you have to do laundry, you have to do dishes, life has to go on.”