2 million bathtubs: Calgarians urged to conserve as new water restrictions kick in

CALGARY — A city official was conjuring images of bathtubs, swimming pools and jugs to drive home just how much water Calgarians need to save every day as they endure yet another round of rationing while a troubled pipe is repaired.

Francois Bouchart, director of the city’s capital priorities and investment unit, sought to help the city’s 1.4 million residents understand the scale of the challenge as the renewed restrictions took effect Monday.

“We collectively need to reduce our water use by over a hundred million litres per day, which is the equivalent of 2.25 million bathtubs,” he told a news conference.

He said Calgarians can meet the target by making small changes to their indoor water use, such as shorter showers and fewer flushes, until repairs are complete in a month or so.

“As a city of 1.4 million people, we could save three Olympic-sized swimming pools or approximately 450,000 five-gallon jugs each time everyone skips a flush,” he said.

“Shortening a shower from five minutes to three minutes can save 20 litres of water, which is equivalent to approximately one blue gallon jug every day.”

This is the second time sweeping water restrictions have been forced on Calgary and its surrounding communities this year.

A massive water pipe rupture in early June resulted in weeks of severe water restrictions, including a ban on watering lawns, a request for shorter showers and fewer laundry loads, as well as an outdoor fire ban.

The rationing had mostly been eased earlier this month when Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced several additional problem spots had been detected on the more than 10-kilometre pipe that would need to be fixed before the cold weather settles in.

Stage 4 water restrictions returned just after midnight on Monday and are set to last until around Sept. 23 while the pipe is dug up and reinforced with concrete in the trouble spots.

A reservoir pushing water into the pipe was scheduled to be shut off on Tuesday ahead of construction.

“It is imperative we begin this repair now if we do not want to risk another feeder main break over the winter,” Bouchart said.

“It remains critical that we balance demand with the available water supply to ensure that we have water available to meet essential needs, such as water for firefighting.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2024.

The Canadian Press