New water restrictions coming Aug. 26

The City of Calgary has announced that essential repairs on a major water main will begin on Monday, Aug. 26, and last until the end of September. These repairs follow the major break to the same line in June, which caused critical water-supply shortages across the city, resulting in temporary use restrictions.  

To conserve water reserves during the critical repair work, the City has once again asked Calgarians to temporarily reduce their water usage as it implements Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions, along with asking people to limit showers to three minutes, skip flushes when they can, and only wash full loads of dishes and laundry.   

Important dates 

• Residence move-in date: Sunday, Aug. 25
• Water restrictions begin: Monday, Aug. 26
• Estimated end date of restrictions: end of September 2024 

The University of Calgary is actively participating in these conservation efforts, aiming to reduce its daily water consumption by 25 per cent. It has implemented several measures to achieve this goal including adjusting its caretaking schedules to minimize water use and encouraging student-residents to be mindful of their water consumption, particularly when showering, doing laundry or washing dishes. UCalgary also draws untreated water from the Bow River for irrigation and cooling purposes, which helps alleviate some of the strain on the City's potable water supply.  

UCalgary is also taking additional steps to conserve water during this critical period. Showers in the Kinesiology building remain operational, but users are encouraged to limit their showers to less than three minutes. The campus pool will remain open, with water replenishment strictly limited to essential needs. 

The university has communicated clearly to its community that water conservation is a shared responsibility. "Every drop counts," says Mike Van Hee, vice-president, services. He encourages everyone on campus to take small, but meaningful actions to reduce water usage. By fostering a culture of sustainability, the university hopes to make a positive impact not only on campus, but also across the broader Calgary community. 

All community members are encouraged to participate in water-saving initiatives and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. UCalgary plans to roll out challenges and initiatives focused on water conservation, reminding everyone that their efforts can make a significant difference during this critical time. Learn more about UCalgary’s water-sustainability initiatives and about what you can do to help conservation efforts.  

As repairs continue, the City will rely on the collective effort of all Calgarians to ensure a stable water supply for essential needs, and UCalgary and its students, staff and faculty are encouraged to do their part.