Calgary says a decision on whether to lift the outdoor water ban will come Monday

CALGARY – A Calgary official says the city is set to announce Monday if it’s ready to lift its mandatory ban on outdoor watering.

The ban has been in place since a main water main burst on June 5.

Francois Bouchard, director of the city’s capital investments and priorities unit, says a decision will be discussed over the weekend after a further assessment of pipeline repairs is completed.

Bouchard says engineers are working cautiously and the water system is at 50 percent capacity so as not to overwhelm the pipeline as it stabilizes.

He says there were three wire breaks along the pipe as of Wednesday, meaning it continues to be under stress.

Calgarians were initially urged to reduce indoor water use by 25 per cent with fewer showers and toilet flushes, and those restrictions were lifted earlier this month.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press