How we're conserving water

Many City of Calgary services and operations have adjusted how we work to further reduce our water use and use it responsibly.

Parks, sports fields and cemeteries

Some of The City’s parks, including athletic parks, sports fields and cemeteries, are certified Water Managed Sites that have in-ground irrigation systems certified for water efficiency.

These systems respond to weather and/or soil moisture conditions at that site, applying only the water needed to the landscape to keep it healthy while avoiding water wastage.

At our athletic parks, we’re reducing watering by 10-15 per cent based on site size and pausing irrigation in peripheral areas. Further adjustments may be made to maintain sports field quality and playability. 

Mowing

We’re adjusting mowing heights at City parks and periphery areas of athletic parks to allow root systems to be shaded and cooled so less watering is needed.

Flowers

We have reduced our overall annual flower planting and have introduced more perennials versus annuals which, over time, require less water.

We are also phasing out wire hanging baskets and replacing them with self-watering baskets, which use water much more efficiently. 

Trees

We’re using soil moisture sensors at strategic locations, to collect real-time data that tells us how much water trees need at that location.

We measure and apply a specific volume of water to newly planted trees through establishment to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Using balanced approaches, we can help limit impacts on trees while also conserving as much water as we can.

Golf courses

As part of our regular operations, all City golf courses are already being irrigated with non-potable water sources.

New communities

Community members may see watering happening in new communities where developers use stormwater (which is non-potable) to irrigate parks and playfields.

In addition, non-potable water is also being used by community groups or partners that have an agreement (Enhanced Landscape Maintenance) with The City for irrigation. This water use has no impact on The City’s water supply.

Fountains

Any City-owned fountain/feature that is not run with recirculated water will be shut off. Fountains/features that are recirculated remain on but may run on a limited schedule.

Drinking water fountains and picnic site water access will remain on to help people stay cool during periods of hot summer weather.

Regulatory requirements

Some weed and pest management and final inspections of newly constructed parks will require the use of potable and non-potable water to meet various levels of government regulatory requirements. Calgarians may see water use happening to satisfy these requirements.

Pools and spray parks

All City wading pools and spray parks are filled with water at the beginning of the season and then it’s recirculated through a system of filters through the remainder of the season to minimize water use.

At City-operated aquatic facilities, we’re taking the following actions:

  • Performing regular inspections to report and fix leaky faucets, showerheads, toilets, water fountains and pool basins.
  • Ensuring pools and hot tubs are only drained or filled on an as-needed basis.
  • Capturing, cleaning and reusing water from all aquatic amenities including pools, slides and splash parks. Water is only topped up as needed.

City-owned buildings and vehicles

  • We’re only watering what is necessary, and when needed for health and safety. Where possible, we are reusing stormwater/non-potable water.
  • Washing of City vehicles, fire trucks and buses is limited to only where necessary and at a frequency required for health and safety.
  • City parkade floor scrubbing is reduced from monthly to an as-needed basis and only the lower levels that accumulate the most dirt are scrubbed.

Water main maintenance and repairs

  • As part of the regular maintenance of our water distribution system and to ensure water is safe for drinking, we need to flush our water mains.
    • While we are taking steps to reduce our water use wherever possible, we also need to make certain our drinking water meets regulatory standards for water quality and safety, and that our distribution system is well maintained.
  • During repairs to irrigation systems in parks, Calgarians may see a small amount of water being used to test a repair.

Water reuse initiatives

Calgary Fire Department

An innovative system collects, treats and reuses water used by Calgary firefighters at our training centre.

Water is stored in a clean water reservoir that also serves as a training facility for aquatic crews to practice dive and water rescues.

This award-winning system has saved one Olympic-sized pool of water every six days since it’s creation in 2011, meaning practically zero water waste for firefighters while training.

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