Pressure restored after Westmount water main failures as town monitors repairs

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Water pressure had returned to the affected Westmount area by late afternoon Oct. 7 after a series of leaks forced Strathmore to replace a section of aging water main, town council heard that evening.

Staff reported no visible leak at the time of the meeting, but cautioned that the repairs would need continued monitoring.

“We don’t see a leak at the moment,” Ethan Wilson manager of infrastructure told council. “We’ll monitor it over the next few days and weeks and just continue on from there.”

The update came after Coun. Melissa Langmaid asked administration how repairs were progressing and whether affected residents could again use water for everyday tasks.

CAO Kevin Scoble said the affected section was part of the town’s older cast-iron pipe network. After an initial leak, depressurizing and repressurizing the line appeared to trigger further failures, resulting in five leaks in total.

The town replaced the section with PVC pipe. A sixth leak then developed at a valve, requiring more specialized work. EPCOR specialists from different parts of Alberta had been brought in to help.

An initial update to council described the valve repair as still requiring materials and a repair method. 

It was reported that pressure had returned at about 5 p.m. and no leak was visible, while emphasizing that no guarantees could yet be made.

The failures could also affect next year’s infrastructure budget.

Administration said another area was already scheduled for pipe replacement, but council would have to consider whether to redirect that work to the area upstream of the Westmount repairs or fund both projects.

The town replaces some cast-iron piping each year through its capital budget; prioritizing areas based on factors such as how often leaks occur. They have also found, in other areas of town, very old pipes made of clay that will need to be addressed at a future date.

Langmaid thanked staff for responding to the unexpected failures and restoring water to affected homes.

The Oct. 7 update did not provide a repair cost or a final decision on next year’s replacement work.