Calgary water main: Stage 4 restrictions return

The City of Calgary will provide an update on the rehabilitation and impacts of the Bearspaw feeder main shutdown on Monday morning as Calgarians are once again under strict water use rules.

The pipe will be turned off on Monday to allow for repairs, forcing the city back under Stage 4 water restrictions.

It’s the first step of a major construction project that will start on Wednesday, seeing crews reinforcing 21 pipe segments ahead of winter.

For the most part, it’s the same restrictions as when the water main first burst in June.

All outdoor water use is banned, including using hoses with spray nozzles, hand watering and watering new grass.

Collected rain water does not count as part of the restrictions.

People are also asked to cut back on laundry, dishes and toilet flushing, with the aim of using 25 per cent less water than usual.

While the city is taking an education-first approach, fines starting at $3,000 can be imposed on those who break the water restrictions.

The city is reopening three spots for businesses to pickup non-potable river water for life-saving services and health and safety regulations.

The city warns that using more than 450 million litres of tap water a day could deplete underground reserves, leading to a city-wide boil water advisory and other challenges.

Calgarians were able to use less water than that during the last round of restrictions.

Construction is set to last until Sept. 23.

Further details about the renewed water restrictions will be available at 11 a.m.