Major Water Main Break in Bowness Area

[BlackArcher101]

I thought the whole reason for concern this time was that they would be drawing down the glenmore reservoir while Bearspaw is shut down, potentially leaving Glenmore reservoir with lower than usual levels until next spring. Difference between now and the last time was the inflow to the reservoir would get it back to normal levels prior to winter. I swear they mentioned that, but that seems to have been lost as a concern?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

I thought the whole reason for concern this time was that they would be drawing down the glenmore reservoir while Bearspaw is shut down, potentially leaving Glenmore reservoir with lower than usual levels until next spring. Difference between now and the last time was the inflow to the reservoir would get it back to normal levels prior to winter. I swear they mentioned that, but that seems to have been lost as a concern?

I thought it was pressure getting too low on the treated water side of the infrastructure. If the feeders/underground reservoirs drop enough pressure the sediment starts to kick up, and we now have a contaminated water supply until the whole system can be repressurized/flushed, which needs spring runoff water volumes to facilitate.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I thought it was pressure getting too low on the treated water side of the infrastructure. If the feeders/underground reservoirs drop enough pressure the sediment starts to kick up, and we now have a contaminated water supply until the whole system can be repressurized/flushed, which needs spring runoff water volumes to facilitate.

The sediment thing makes no sense to me, if it's on the potable side. If pressure drops, you have less energy in the system to stir up anything that may have found it's way in. And it's already in the system, if it's there our potable water is in contact with it. A boil order won't remove sediment.

If localized storage reservoirs drop below 1/3, they would likely slow the booster pumps down via VFD to ensure they don't run completely dry as restarting the system would be a pain. That slowing down the pump is what would drop pressure in the system, but it wouldn't stir anything up., there are catchments and special pipe designs on the outlets of the reservoirs/pump intake lines to prevent that.

[curves2000]

I can continue to come back to communication and a long thought out plan. Come up with actual ways people can reduce consumption of water through minimal sacrifice.

Encourage restaurants and businesses to have water jugs in the fridge to prevent waste while it get's cold and to not use ice. Ask those same places to minimize ice use by not using a new glass for every water and pop refill. Ask them to be on top of rinse aid for commercial dishwashers so that hard water deposits don't leave a mark and people complain "this glass is dirty" thus washing clean thing items multiple times. Fill up said water jugs with ice at the end of the night from the well and use that as a water jug as to not fill up water. How often do you go out and are given utensils you are not using in the roll up or the table setting? All that stuff needs to be washed again!

For god sakes, we are into our 4th month of this and the City/Province still can't coordinate with small and large retailers to have promotional pricing on low flow shower heads, aerators, toilets and more. There are literally hundreds of thousands of fixtures that could be repaired, replaced and improved in the entire area.

When this is all said and done, this may cost the city directly and indirectly more than $100 million by the time all costs are considered. Construction, overtime, refunded fee's from canceled events, classes and a lot more. Take 1%, 5% of that and apply it to improvements for businesses and homes.

People who pay for the water utility directly sometimes have a vested interest in reducing water use and expense. Sometimes people the people who don't, just don't care out of habit.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

The sediment thing makes no sense to me, if it's on the potable side. If pressure drops, you have less energy in the system to stir up anything that may have found it's way in. And it's already in the system, if it's there our potable water is in contact with it. A boil order won't remove sediment.

If localized storage reservoirs drop below 1/3, they would likely slow the booster pumps down via VFD to ensure they don't run completely dry as restarting the system would be a pain. That slowing down the pump is what would drop pressure in the system, but it wouldn't stir anything up., there are catchments and special pipe designs on the outlets of the reservoirs/pump intake lines to prevent that.

I think it has to be that all of the water pipes leak so if you don’t maintain positive pressure on the system contaminated ground wanted would ingress into the system but this is pure speculation. I have the same thoughts around the sentiment concept.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by GGG

I think it has to be that all of the water pipes leak so if you don’t maintain positive pressure on the system contaminated ground wanted would ingress into the system but this is pure speculation. I have the same thoughts around the sentiment concept.

I was just going to post this. Calgary’s water system apparently leaks like a sieve (I heard 20-25+% loss), so they need a lot of positive pressure to keep contaminants out.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by GGG

I think it has to be that all of the water pipes leak so if you don’t maintain positive pressure on the system contaminated ground wanted would ingress into the system but this is pure speculation. I have the same thoughts around the sentiment concept.

Isn't the sediment all of the stuff sitting in the cracks of the leaky pipes/reservoirs? Basically a bunch of mud sitting right at the site of every leak, and if pressure drops, that's coming into the pipes/reservoirs.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

I was just going to post this. Calgary’s water system apparently leaks like a sieve (I heard 20-25+% loss), so they need a lot of positive pressure to keep contaminants out.

Not just Calgary, that's pretty normal for all municipal water systems

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Isn't the sediment all of the stuff sitting in the cracks of the leaky pipes/reservoirs? Basically a bunch of mud sitting right at the site of every leak, and if pressure drops, that's coming into the pipes/reservoirs.

I was thinking sediment meant build up / deposits from impurities in the treated water over time but what you are saying makes sense if it’s referring to mud external to the pipe in the cracks and leaks.

[mrkajz44]

Well, I sure hope the city can figure out how to get 15 million more liters daily as it seems we are not going to budge below 500. It's sort of embarrassing how simple the ask is but enough people are just too selfish to actually contribute to the reduction.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Not just Calgary, that's pretty normal for all municipal water systems

Every water system has and measures leakage but that’s high.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Every water system has and measures leakage but that’s high.

It’s actually not.

[btimbit]

Someone posted a graph from cities across Canada a few dozen pages ago and Calgary was pretty much right in the middle

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Every water system has and measures leakage but that’s high.

Source please?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Source please?

The reservoir?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Locke

The reservoir?

First a forestry expert and now he speaks to water. A true man of nature over here.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

First a forestry expert and now he speaks to water. A true man of nature over here.

David Suzuki ain't got #### on ME!!

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

It’s actually not.

Appears you’re correct. I used to be a board member on a regional water commission. I thought I recalled a lower percentage loss but I just checked and Calgary is fairly typical.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Someone posted a graph from cities across Canada a few dozen pages ago and Calgary was pretty much right in the middle

Best comparison would be to other towns/cities in Alberta with the same climate and ground issues. I was working with Okotoks nearly 10 years ago as they recognized the same problem and put a lot of work into tracking, pinpointing and repairing leaks. They took it seriously.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Best comparison would be to other towns/cities in Alberta with the same climate and ground issues. I was working with Okotoks nearly 10 years ago as they recognized the same problem and put a lot of work into tracking, pinpointing and repairing leaks. They took it seriously.

I like your suggestion of stealing water from Okotoks! Excellent suggestion!

Who wants to join the Raiding Party?!?!?



To Okotoks! For Water!!