'Incredibly impressed': Calgary mayor applauds reduced water use after pipeline break

Calgarians stepped up over the weekend to reduce their water use after a major water main break last week.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Monday the city used about 30 per cent less water than it did before the break happened.

"I'm incredibly impressed at how well Calgarians have done," she said. 

Water Supply & Demand Update:

Early info indicates that on Sunday June 9th, Calgarians used 457 million litres of water & our supply this morning is 620 million litres. This means we have water supply in case of emergency.

Great work on water conservation, Calgary. Keep it up!

— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) June 10, 2024

Calgary was put under a water emergency after the major feeder main in the city's northwest fractured Wednesday night.

On Sunday, the city of 1.6 million used 457 million litres of water. On Wednesday, before the break, it used 650 million litres.

That's an even steeper cut than the 25 per cent Gondek called for last week.

Gondek suggested residents flush the toilet five fewer times each day and turn off their showers between soaping up and rinsing down.

"These are the kind of measures that we have used when we have been camping," she said. "Maybe go back to those memories."

Water restrictions could still be in place for several days as the repairs are expected to take some time. 

One neighbourhood is also under a boil-water advisory.