DIDSBURY - In order to ensure Didsbury has enough water to respond to possible emergencies during upcoming work on the town’s water system, council has approved water restrictions and a fire ban starting Aug. 6.
The decision came during a July 25 special council meeting, held via Zoom.
Work on the exterior of the Butte standpipe – the large water tower on the town’s westside – will involve the sandblasting of the surface of the infrastructure and the use of a pneumatic scrabbler (a percussive tool that uses cutting heads to impact concrete) to remove detached and loose concrete.
The project team has identified an increased risk of structure failure associated with the initial construction activities, prompting the need to put the water restriction and fire ban in place as a precaution.
When work gets underway on Aug. 6, the Level 1 restriction will come into effect, with further levels put in place if required.
Under Level 1, residential and business water uses such as lawn watering, filling of swimming pools and filling of fountains and other water features are permitted only during even days at even numbered addresses and odd numbered days at odd numbered address.
The project itself is expected to take approximately nine weeks to complete, with administration anticipating that the water restrictions may be needed for about six or seven weeks.
In conjunction with the Level 1 restriction, the Didsbury Fire Department will be imposing a fire ban starting Aug. 6, with the ban remaining in place during the duration of the project.
The ban is being imposed to ensure water is available in case of emergency, said mayor Rhonda Hunter.
“While water restrictions may be an inconvenience, we want to convey the importance of these repairs,” Hunter said. “We encourage Didsbury businesses and residents to do their part in following the water restriction levels that are, and may need to be, implemented going forward.”
Council has given administration the authority to elevate the water restrictions to Level 2 if necessary during the project without reconvening council. That level would prohibit lawn watering and other measures.
The Town of Didsbury plans to issue updates on the project as it progresses, said Nicole Assen, director of community services.
