This month has been busy both at City Hall and in our community. I attended multiple events for Family Day and Chinese New Year across our Ward. I want to extend my gratitude to all of the Community Associations and volunteers who make these community events possible. In addition to attending multiple Community Association meetings, I also spoke at the Silver Springs Annual General Meeting and had productive meetings with the Mainstreet Bowness Business Improvement Area and other businesses in Ward 1. 

The City has announced that immediate reinforcements of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main are necessary to protect Calgary’s drinking water supply and to address concerns with pipe segments that are in very poor condition. As a result of this work, there will be Stage 4 water restrictions beginning on March 9th. I am incredibly grateful to those who took proactive steps to reduce their water use during past restrictions to support our community. We will be entering a period of water restrictions again in March and later in the year, and we need everyone's help to reduce our water use so we can fix this problem once and for all. There is more information on the plans for the reinforcement work and water restrictions later in this newsletter. 

As we head toward spring, I remain committed to fighting for stronger infrastructure, safer communities, and the repeal of blanket rezoning. I look forward to hearing from residents from Ward 1 and all Calgarians at the Public Hearing starting on March 23rd. Information on participating in the Hearing can be found below. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at Ward1@Calgary.ca and if you have any City of Calgary service-related requests, such as road maintenance or bin pickup issues, please contact 311 at this link: 

https://www.calgary.ca/311.html

Here are some updates on some important issues in Ward 1 and all of Calgary:

Bearspaw South Feeder Main Information Sessions: 

The City is hosting two in person information sessions on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. These two sessions will take place on:

Thursday, March 5: 5PM - 8PM (Bowness Ratepayers Scout & Guide Hall 8551 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0H8). This information session is in Ward 1. 

Saturday, March 7: 10AM - 1PM (Terrace Road School 2103 46 St NW, Calgary, AB T3B 1B3). 

If you attend these sessions, you can expect to learn about: 

• What happened and why we are accelerating this work.

• What is being done, including repairs to the existing line as well as development of a replacement feeder main.

• Approximate locations of work. Note that some specifics and exact repair locations are still in development and will be shared at a later date.

• Approximate timelines of work. Note that specific construction details, such as block-by-block timelines, may not yet be available

• High-level, anticipated impacts, and how you can stay informed and supported during construction.

• We are committed to keeping you informed and will continue to share additional details following these preliminary information sessions.

Please visit this website for more information on the project and to register for the information sessions: 

https://www.calgary.ca/planning/water/bearspaw-south-feeder-main-improvements-project.html 

Bearspaw South Feeder Main Pipe Reinforcement Project: 

Due to the critical condition of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and its importance in Calgary’s drinking water system, the City is reinforcing sections of the pipe that are in the most vulnerable condition, to stabilize them and reduce the chances of a break. The map of these locations can be found on the right side of this page. Here is some information from the City about upcoming reinforcement work:

What to know about upcoming reinforcement work:

• Reinforcements will target up to nine segments of the existing pipe to support operations and stability. There are six segments that are confirmed for reinforcement, and all of those are within Ward 1 (along 16th Ave, near Sarcee Trail). 

• Construction on this project will run 24/7 starting on Monday, March 9th. It will last for approximately 4 weeks. 

• Water restrictions will be in place throughout this work, beginning March 9.

• The spring feeder main shutdown window also allows additional pieces of work to proceed:

  • Replacement of existing valves on the feeder main near the Shaganappi Pump Station which will support system reliability in the event of a future failure;

  • Inspection of the steel pipe connection to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant, supporting ongoing condition assessment. 

  • Replacement of valves at 33rd Ave. and 89 St., which help control how water moves between the feeder main and the smaller distribution system.  

Water Restrictions: 

The feeder main will be taken out of service to complete construction. During this time it’s critical that all Calgarians and the surrounding regions use less water. Outdoor water restrictions and indoor water conservation will be in effect starting March 9. No outdoor water use will be permitted during this time.

We’re asking all Calgarians to save 25-30 litres of water per day indoors by taking the following actions:

• Keep showers short, three minutes or less.

• Flush toilets only when necessary.

• Only run dishwashers and washing machines when there is a full load.

To help you prepare before restrictions begin on March 9th, consider taking these proactive steps:

• Make use of rain barrels and other methods of capturing rainwater.

• Wash heavy laundry, such as comforters and bedsheets.

• Wash and deep clean your vehicle.

• Fill large containers with water for indoor plants.

Concrete reinforcement technique:

We will repair the identified pipe segments using a concrete reinforcement technique. This approach involves exposing the pipe through excavation, constructing an exterior reinforcing steel cage, pouring concrete around the existing pipe, and backfilling. The construction method is subject to change once the pipe is exposed.

When reinforcement work begins, residents and businesses can expect: 

• Heavy equipment and construction vehicles in the area. 

• Crews working 24/7 until reinforcements are complete. 

• Traffic detours, and temporary parking impacts. 

• Fenced-off areas for equipment and supplies. 

• Noise, dust, and vibrations.

• Noise from hydrovac activities. 

• Potential temporary water and gas services for some residents.

Impacted communities

Residents and businesses in Bowness, Montgomery and Parkdale, along the feeder main alignment, should anticipate more mail drop updates, construction notices and info sessions. Residents and businesses that have not already done so, can sign up to receive email updates.

Plans are moving forward rapidly and we are committed to enhancing our outreach as we gain a better understanding of community impacts. We appreciate everyone’s patience at this time.

Residents or businesses with questions regarding this project, please contact us directly at BSFMProject@calgary.ca.

Blanket Rezoning Repeal Public Hearing 

The Public Hearing for the repeal of blanket rezoning has been scheduled for Monday, March 23rd. If you would like to have your opinion heard on this important issue in our city. Here are the ways that you can participate in the Public Hearing: 

• A written submission to Council

• Speaking at the public hearing

• Watching the public hearing

For further information, please visit: https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning/rezoning-bylaw-public-notice.html

You can find Councillor Tyers on social media here: 

https://www.facebook.com/yyckimtyers/

https://x.com/kim_tyers

https://www.instagram.com/kim.tyers