Caution | Outdoor water restrictions in effect

Stage 1 Outdoor Water Restrictions are in effect. Learn more about what you can do during this stage.

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How The City is conserving water

Many City of Calgary services and operations have adjusted how we work to ensure we are compliant with Outdoor Water Restrictions. 

Some of The City’s parks 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.

During Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions, these sites are still required to reduce their watering by 10-15 per cent depending on the size of the site. 

Parks and golf courses

  • During Stage 1 Outdoor Water Restrictions, we will be reducing potable water use by 15 per cent on all City-operated, sport fields, cemeteries, parks, trees and flowers. With the warmer weather, we’re using this water responsibly to ensure we’re protecting areas for Calgarians to enjoy. 
  • In our regular operations, all five City golf course greens are already being irrigated with non-potable water sources.
  • 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 agreement) with The City for irrigation. The use of this water use has no impact on the City’s water supply.

Pools, arenas and athletic parks

At our athletic parks, we’re:

  • reducing watering by 10-15 per cent (depending on the size of the site).
  • refraining from operating irrigation system for periphery areas of the park
  • adjusting mower heights to in periphery areas to promote deeper roots and require cutting less often.

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

At our aquatic facilities, we are 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 the splash parks at Southland and Village Square Leisure Centres. 

City-owned buildings and vehicles

  • We are only watering what is necessary and where possible reusing stormwater/non-potable water.
  • Decorative water features and fountains have been turned off to conserve water for essential use only. 
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