Work on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main will cause water restrictions in Calgary.
Water restrictions are coming to Calgary, again, in the coming weeks.
The City of Calgary will be reinforcing sections of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main that are in the most vulnerable condition, which will cause water restriction to be put in place.
They are doing this work due to the critical condition of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and its importance in the City’s drinking water system, and this work will stabilize the Feeder Main and reduce the chance of a break occurring.
These reinforcements will help support the continued operation of the Feeder Main until a new parallel steel pipe is completed, which will then take over service from the current line.
The work is scheduled to begin on March 9, and is expected to last for roughly four weeks, and the work will be happening for 24/7 during that time.
This reinforcement work will be taking place for six segments of pipe along 16 Ave N.W., near Sarcee Trail.
On top of this work, teams are exploring three potential reinforcements at Point McKay Park, which requires further coordination due to their proximity with work taking place for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main replacement.
While this work is happening, water restrictions will be in place, beginning on March 9.
During the Feeder Main shutdown window, crews will be able to work on some additional pieces of work.
That work involves the replacement of existing valves on the feeder main near the Shaganappi Pump Station, which will support system reliability in the event of a failure, inspection of the steel pipe connection to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant, which supports ongoing condition assessment, and the replacement of valves at 33rd Ave and 89 St., which will help control how water moves between the feeder main and the smaller distribution system.
During this work, the City of Calgary is asking residents to use 25 to 30 litres less water per day indoors by keeping showers short, flushing toilets only when necessary, and only run dishwashers and washing machines when there is a full load.
Crews will repair the pipe segments using a concrete reinforcement technique, which involves exposing the pipe through excavation, constructing an exterior reinforcing steel cage, pouring concrete around the existing pipe, and backfilling.
While the work is in progress, residents and businesses can expect heavy equipment and construction vehicles in the area, crews working 24/7, traffic detours, temporary parking impacts, fenced-off areas for equipment and supplies, noise, dust, vibrations, and more.
Even though this work is being completed, the City cannot guarantee that the pipe will bit break before or after the reinforcement.
To stay up to date on this work, click here.
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