Calgary’s water restrictions have resumed for about the next four weeks starting Wednesday, limiting outdoor water use for ice rinks and ski hills.
The Story
Water restrictions are back in Calgary starting Wednesday, with rules in place for about the next four weeks and through the Grey Cup period.
Along with the city’s message to take shorter showers, the restrictions mean there will be no outside watering that would otherwise be used for flooding outdoor hockey rinks or making snow for ski hills.
The rules were described as part of the final stretch of repairs to Calgary’s water system after major problems with the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which provides about 60 per cent of treated water for the city’s 1.6 million residents.
That feeder main, along with supporting municipal systems and the Tsuut’ina Nation, failed in June 2024 and ruptured again in December last year, prompting off-and-on repair work and interim water restrictions.
During the current phase, residents are again being asked to take three-minute showers, not flush the toilet until necessary, and hold off on washing clothes or running the dishwasher, in addition to the ban on outside watering.
WinSport, which operates Canada Olympic Park, said the timing is difficult but that there is limited choice given current conditions; Dale Oviatt said there is no opening date yet for the ski and snowboarding hill and warmer weather may have delayed opening anyway.
Oviatt said the centre’s ski instructors and other operations depend on getting the hill open, and he added that for the most part season passholders have been understanding.
The restrictions do not appear to be affecting minor hockey because Hockey Calgary said its programs operate in indoor facilities that are up and running for the year.
Grey Cup organizers are sharing the water-compliance message, and the Grey Cup festival runs from Nov. 11 to the championship CFL game on Nov. 15.
← More stories