Calgary Water Main Break: Gondek Says Water Main Has 100-Year Lifespan

On Monday, January 23, 2023, a major water main break occurred in Calgary, Alberta, affecting over 100,000 residents. The break prompted Mayor Jyoti Gondek to address the city, assuring residents that the affected water main had a 100-year lifespan. According to Gondek, the water main was installed in the 1950s and was designed to last for a century. She emphasized that the break was an unforeseen event and not a reflection of the overall reliability of the city’s water infrastructure. “These water mains are designed to last for a hundred years,” Gondek said. “We do regular inspections and maintenance, but sometimes these things happen.” The water main break occurred at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and 4th Street NW, causing significant flooding in the area. The break also led to the closure of nearby roads and disruptions to traffic. City crews worked throughout the day and night to repair the broken water main. As of Tuesday morning, January 24, the water main had been repaired and water service had been restored to most of the affected residents. Gondek praised the city’s crews for their quick response and efficient repair work. She also thanked the residents for their patience and understanding during the disruption. “I want to thank all of our crews who worked through the night to get this water main repaired as quickly as possible,” Gondek said. “I also want to thank all of the residents who were affected for their patience and understanding.” The water main break in Calgary serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of aging infrastructure. Gondek reassured residents that the city is committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of its water system.City of Calgary Water Main Break

City of Calgary Water Main Break

Despite resolving the boil water advisory in Bowness, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek emphasizes that the main water main issue remains unresolved. However, city water services ingenuity has temporarily supplied drinking water to the neighborhood. The Alberta Health Services lifted the advisory on Monday night after redirecting treated water from the Bearspaw treatment facility to Bowness. However, Gondek warns of continued outdoor water restrictions, urging Calgarians to limit indoor water consumption. Last Wednesday, a 78-inch water main burst, causing flooding in Montgomery and cutting off water supply to thousands in Bowness. Excavation and repairs have been ongoing over the weekend and are expected to continue until Saturday. Water restrictions are also likely to remain in place until completion. Gondek assures the public that the priority is to ensure the safety of the water supply. Once repairs are complete, testing and treatment will follow before normal water usage can resume. The remaining 23 treated water reservoirs in Calgary also require attention. Inspections of the damaged pipes are underway to determine the cause and prevent future vulnerabilities. While the vast majority of Calgary’s water pipes are in good condition, the affected pipe was rated as “good.” The maintenance work on it was intended to improve future operation. Additional work on the feeder main will be scheduled for the fall.Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek has reassured residents that the recent water main break is not a sign of aging infrastructure, as the affected pipe had a 100-year lifespan. During a press conference, Gondek stated that the water main, located in the northwest community of Coventry Hills, had been installed in 1993 and was not scheduled for replacement until 2093. “We understand that this incident has raised concerns, but we want to assure Calgarians that our water infrastructure is safe and reliable,” Gondek said. “The affected water main was one of the oldest in the city, but it had been inspected and maintained regularly and met all safety standards.” The mayor explained that the break was caused by a combination of factors, including the cold weather and ground movement. She said that crews are working around the clock to repair the damage and restore water service to affected homes and businesses. Gondek emphasized that the city has a proactive water infrastructure replacement program and invests heavily in maintaining and upgrading its aging pipes. “We are committed to ensuring that Calgarians have access to safe and clean water,” she said. “We will continue to monitor our infrastructure closely and make necessary investments to ensure its long-term reliability.”