Calgary mayor anticipates recommendations from review of 2024 ‘catastrophic’ water main break – CBC

Calgary Water Main Break: Independent Review and Sustainable Development Goals Focus

Overview of the Incident

Calgary city council is scheduled to receive a report on Tuesday evening regarding an independent review of the 2024 “catastrophic” feeder main break. This follows a second break on the same pipe in the city’s northwest one week later. The incident caused significant flooding, water restrictions, and a boil-water advisory affecting several northwest communities.

City Council Actions and Report Details

• A 600-page report was presented to city council in December 2023, detailing the causes of the pipe’s deterioration and failure.
• The report faced criticism for lacking clear guidance on preventing future incidents.
• Mayor Jeromy Farkas announced a special council meeting to publicly discuss the latest findings and recommended actions.
• Swift procurement and installation of a replacement pipe are prioritized to address the immediate emergency.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The water main break highlighted vulnerabilities in Calgary’s water infrastructure, impacting access to clean water.
• Water restrictions and boil-water advisories were implemented to protect public health and ensure safe water supply.
• City officials urge water conservation measures such as running dishwashers and laundry only when full, limiting shower times, and reducing unnecessary toilet flushing.
• Efforts to repair and replace aging infrastructure align with SDG 6 targets to improve water quality and sustainable water management.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Calgary’s growing population, nearing two million, increases demand on water resources and infrastructure.
• Proactive maintenance and infrastructure upgrades are necessary to build resilient and sustainable urban water systems.
• Temporary water service interruptions are managed with direct communication to affected residents, ensuring community engagement and transparency.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Mayor Farkas emphasized the need for valuing water as a precious resource and promoting sustainable consumption habits among residents and businesses.
• Water usage on Monday exceeded the city’s daily sustainable goal by 29 million litres, underscoring the need for enhanced conservation efforts.
• Encouragement of remote work for city staff and local businesses aims to reduce water demand and support sustainable urban living.

Water Conservation and Communication Strategies

1. Increase public awareness about ongoing water restrictions and the importance of conservation.
2. Implement proactive shutdowns of the water main during spring and fall for maintenance to prevent future breaks.
3. Encourage voluntary water-saving behaviors among Calgarians to reduce pressure on the water system.

Infrastructure Repair and Future Plans

• A new section of the broken feeder main has been delivered and will be installed following inspection.
• Investigations of pipe conditions adjacent to the break will inform further repairs.
• The city is preparing to bring another feeder main back into service to improve water delivery.
• The Bearspaw South Feeder Main replacement project is scheduled to commence in spring 2024.

Temporary Water Service Interruption

A temporary water service interruption is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning in the Bowness area for two days, affecting 30 homes and one business. This is necessary for safe inspection and maintenance of the feeder main. Affected residents will receive direct notifications.

Conclusion

The 2024 Calgary water main break underscores the critical need to align urban infrastructure management with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6, SDG 11, and SDG 12. Through enhanced infrastructure investment, proactive maintenance, and community engagement on water conservation, Calgary aims to secure a sustainable and resilient water future for its growing population.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article discusses water main breaks, water restrictions, boil-water advisories, and efforts to maintain and improve water infrastructure in Calgary, directly relating to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The focus on city infrastructure, emergency response, and maintaining water supply for a growing population connects to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The emphasis on water conservation, reducing water usage, and managing resources efficiently relates to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • While not explicitly mentioned, proactive maintenance and infrastructure resilience in response to environmental stressors imply climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all — relevant due to boil-water advisories and water safety concerns.
   • Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors — connected to efforts to reduce water loss and promote water conservation.
   • Target 6.a: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to water and sanitation-related activities — implied through the independent review and report sharing.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management — related to maintaining infrastructure to prevent water loss and flooding.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, and disaster risk reduction — relevant to Calgary’s infrastructure planning and emergency response.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources — linked to water conservation measures and reducing water wastage.
   • Target 12.8: Ensure that people have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles — connected to communication efforts about water restrictions and conservation.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters — implied through proactive shutdowns and infrastructure resilience planning.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Water Usage Metrics
   • Daily water usage volume (e.g., 514 million litres used, exceeding the daily water use goal by 29 million litres) to measure efficiency and conservation progress.
2. Water Loss Percentage
   • Percentage of treated water lost due to leaky pipes (nearly a quarter lost in 2024) to track infrastructure effectiveness and water loss reduction.
3. Boil-Water Advisory Status
   • Duration and lifting of boil-water advisories as an indicator of water safety and quality.
4. Infrastructure Repair and Replacement Progress
   • Completion and installation of replacement pipes and feeder mains to measure improvements in water infrastructure resilience.
5. Public Compliance and Communication Effectiveness
   • Levels of voluntary water restrictions adherence and public awareness campaigns effectiveness (implied through calls for better communication and conservation behavior).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: cbc.ca