Fule speaks to second round of water restrictions

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following suit with the City of Calgary, the Town of Strathmore has been set under Stage 4 water use restrictions while water main pipes are repaired in Calgary. 

“We got the word just like Airdrie and Chestermere that Calgary was moving to Stage 4 water restrictions, so we have done our part as far as educating, letting the community know what is going on and the response has been good so far,” said Mayor Pat Fule. “In the previous water restrictions, the goal was to have 25 per cent less water usage and we are right around 24, 25 per cent the first few days. I am really happy with Strathmore residents – it should not be as long a period of time this time and kids are going back to school.”

Fule explained in a social media post Aug. 31, Strathmore previously drew its treated water from the Western Irrigation District.

In the mid 2000s, this was determined to be insufficient to support growth within the town, and a water line was built to draw water from the Glenmore Reservoir, to be stored in the Wildflower and Brentwood Reservoirs for later use.

“Part of it was, there was not enough water to actually access that we could continue to treat, so it seemed … from what I understand, the thought process was a city the size of Calgary with all of its water treatment assets would be able to treat water and deliver water a lot cheaper than a town of Strathmore’s size,” said Fule. 

He added at the time that Strathmore connected to Calgary’s water, he was not on council.

“What has happened now is, our town administration and staff are looking at the water situation that occurred in the summer and what we are facing now, and based on the financial feasibility of it, they are looking into seeing if it makes sense to have another method of delivery of water as a backup.”

Fule explained a potential problem that may occur with attempting to develop a backup system, is the time it takes to set up and become operational unless water is being treated continuously.

At this time, the town does not have a cost estimate for what a new local water treatment plant would look like. 

While under the water restrictions experienced earlier in the summer, Strathmore’s aquatic centre was closed to the public. Fule explained the town took the down time as an opportunity to complete maintenance on the facility earlier than usual, which will result in shorter regularly scheduled closures through September.

Also affected as a result of water restrictions was the town’s splash park, which operates on water that is not recycled. 

Fule said to his knowledge, Stage 4 water restrictions are likely to be in place for the next four to five weeks. More information will be made public as it becomes available.