Canada: Officials declare state of local emergency in Calgary as of June 15 as water restrictions slated to remain in effect for further 3-5 weeks /update 2

Officials in Calgary have declared a state of local emergency as of June 15 following a critical water main break that occurred on 16th Avenue NW on June 5. Authorities estimate that water use restrictions that have been imposed in connection with the water main break will likely need to remain in place for another three-to-five weeks. The assessment comes after city authorities reportedly discovered another five sites on the affected water main that require repairs. City officials have asked residents as well as commercial and industrial water users to restrict their water usage until normal water distribution resumes.

Officials have implemented the following measures in response to the water main break:

• Mandatory Stage 4 outdoor water use restrictions are in place in Calgary; for more information on the Stage 4 outdoor water use restrictions, click here.

• A mandatory outdoor water use ban is also in effect in the nearby communities of Airdrie, Chestermere, and Strathmore.

• A fire ban is in effect in Calgary; for more information on the fire ban, click here.

• Shouldice Park, including playing fields, pathways, and roads, are closed until further notice.

• Parts of the north side of Edworthy Park, including pathways and the north parking lot, are closed until further notice.

• 16th Avenue NW is closed at Home Road NW.

• A boil water advisory was previously in effect in the Bowness area; authorities had lifted the boil water advisory as of June 10.

For more information regarding the water main break and associated restrictions, click here.

Businesses that rely on large quantities of publicly supplied water will likely experience disruptions, including low water pressure, until normal water distribution is restored. Additional water outages may occur over the coming weeks.