City of Calgary declares state of local emergency over catastrophic water main break

The City of Calgary has declared a state of local emergency to deal with the ongoing water crisis caused by the catastrophic break to the city's main water feeder main pipe.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Sue Henry,Calgary's Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) chief, made the announcement during the city's daily news briefing Saturday morning.

"The decision to declare a state of local emergency was not taken lightly, and it was done to ensure we are prepared for all eventualities in the drive to have this water feeder main restoration work done as quickly and safely as possible," Gondek said.

"I am grateful to the Government of Alberta for endorsing this approach and offering their support as we address this critical water situation."

Henry said the declaration is another sign of the seriousness of the situation.

City to take 'aggressive approach'

"Under the state of local emergency, it allows for even more co-ordination of action, and is an indicator of the aggressive approach we are taking to restore full water service for all customers as soon as humanly possible," said Henry.

"This work is our top priority and we are bringing every tool in the toolbox to advance and support this massive construction effort, and to continue to ensure we have enough water for those critical life-safety needs."

Gondeksaid she has spoken to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who hasoffered full co-operation. She saidthat she is reaching out to the private sector to find solutions, calling it an "all hands on deck situation."

The city announced Friday that ithaddiscoveredfive additional sites or "hot spots" on the water feeder main in need of repair. The additional breaks meanrepairs could take another three to five weeks, city officials said.

Gondek said that the multiple repair sites will makeitnecessary to store equipment on private property. The state of emergency will allow the city to do that.

More inspections needed

Francois Bouchart, the director of capital priorities and investment with the city's infrastructure services department, gave an update on the repair work at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

He said that, overnight, crews began drainingthe remaining 300 metres of pipe still needing robotic inspection for hot spots. That inspection was delayed, however, because more draining time was required.

Bouchart said the analysis should be completed on Monday.

WATCH | City officials update water feeder main repairs:

Calgary mayor declares local state of emergency

3 months ago

Duration 15:19

Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced Saturday morning the City of Calgary had declared a local state of emergency to help address the ongoing water crisis caused by a catastrophic break to the city's water feeder main pipe.

He also said that, after reaching out to other municipalities and water utilities across North America, the city had managed to secure enough pipe material to complete all the required repair work.

"Three of the pipe segments are here in Calgary, and the remaining two have been sourced from the U.S. and should arrive by mid-next week," he said.

Province supports city's decision

He said that city crews will complete initial surveys of the sites where pipe repair work is required within the next two days.

In a statement, Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIversaid the province supports the city's decision to declare a state of local emergency.

"This step signifies the critical state of Calgary's water infrastructure and the work that must happen expeditiously in order to return to normal," the statement said.

McIver added that the province remains in regular communication with the city and will support Calgary "in any way that is needed."

Both Gondek and Henry continued to stress the importance of conserving water Saturday morning.

"We are asking our citizens, businesses and partners to stay with us to do what we know we must do until we are back to regular service," said Henry.

Residents react to declaration

Calgariansinterviewed by CBC News hadmixed feelings aboutthis morning's emergency declaration.

Kevin Dong said it's prompted him to consider changinghis water-saving behaviour.

"Hearing that it's a state of emergency makes it seem like I should do more," said Dong.

Kevin Scottsaid he doesn't think the declarationmakes the situation feel any more serious to city residents.

"I think we're in a situation about the boy or the girl who cried wolf we've heard it many times and I don't believe Calgarians will get the message unless they turn on their tap in the morning and no water comes out."

Scott said he thinks it would have been more effective if the state of emergency had been declared sooner.

WATCH | How Calgarians feel about the emergency declaration:

Calgarians weigh in on the state of emergency

3 months ago

Duration 1:26

After a main water feeder burst, a state of local emergency declared in Calgary has been both a cause for concern, and confusion. Calgarians try to figure out what it means for them and whether the situation is becoming more serious almost 10 days after water restrictions began.

"I think the mayor has gotten ahead of it now, that wasn't the case on the day that the [initial] broadcast was made, but the communication has been pretty good," he said.

Heather Brooke said she found out about the emergency declaration listening to morning radio. She said she was already limiting herwater use before it was declared, and she doesn't plan to do anything differently now.

"At some point you have to do laundry, you have to do dishes, life has to go on."

Concern for Calgary Stampede

Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, said she was concerned the city had entered a state of emergency so close to the Calgary Stampede, which kicks off on July 5, well within the repair timeline that has been provided.

"This is such an important event for the city. It is an important event for our tourism economy. And we are very focused on making sure that the right things happen so that we can host all the visitors that we know are coming. Hotels are sold out. People are expecting a really good experience."

Yedlin said the Stampede has anapproximate$540 million economic impact, and that its a critical time for small businesses.

WATCH | Hotels are sold out for Stampede:

What will happen to the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth if water repairs aren't done?

3 months ago

Duration 1:03

With a state of local emergency now in place, crews continue to fix a catastrophic break to Calgary's main water feeder. And with a new 3- to 5-week timeline for that work to be completed, there are concerns about the fate of the upcoming Calgary Stampede.

"It's the uncertainty is what's causing everybody some concern andthe length of time it's going to take to get this fixed. And we know that it will start to affect businesses as this drags on if we don't continue to conserve water the way we need to."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Calgary Stampede said it plans to work with the city and CEMA asthe situation evolves.

Gondek said it was too early to tell what impact, if any, the water main break will have on Stampede.

"What I can speak to is this, we are definitely looking at the data from years past to understand what kind of water usage spike may happen in those peak times and we can make some determinations from there as to what we do moving forward.

"I can't speculate right now what we may have to do because we're not at that point yet."