Work crews are shown at a main sewer line break in Cochrane, Alta. on Sunday Oct. 22, 2023. An Alberta community where an accident caused sewage to flow into a river that feeds Calgary's water supply says it remains focused on stopping the sewage flow. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Bill Belsey
**MANDATORY CREDIT **
CALGARY – An Alberta community where an accident caused sewage to flow into a river that feeds Calgary’s water supply says it remains focused on stopping the leak.
The Town of Cochrane said on the weekend that a contractor completing work on behalf of the town had “impacted” its wastewater and water pipelines as it was setting up for drilling operations, resulting in a sewer line break that was sending wastewater in the Bow River.
In an update posted to Cochrane’s website, the town says stopping the flow is among its primary objectives, along with maintaining safe drinking water and reservoir levels, and keeping people informed.
The update says the town is still working with the contractor to repair the damaged pipes and minimize leakage as quickly as possible.
The Town of Cochrane, as well as the City of Calgary, say their drinking water remains safe, with Calgary officials noting they have increased water quality monitoring.
Cochrane, however, says it has implemented water conservation measures since a leak from a high-pressure line has made it challenging to keep its reservoirs filled.
“We have made the difficult decision to temporarily restrict water to some local businesses today, as we work to complete repairs to the wastewater line,” the town said Monday on its website.
“As crews work to bring town water reservoirs back up to normal capacity, all residents and local businesses are asked to do their part to reduce water consumption.”
A City of Calgary spokeswoman said in an email Monday that the city’s Water Services Response team continues to carefully monitor the situation and is working closely with the Town of Cochrane.
“We are conducting extra water quality sampling of the Bow River, and as of Monday morning, Calgary’s water remains safe to drink,” the spokeswoman said.
Mark Crowdis, the City of Calgary’s manager of water quality and regulatory assurance, said Sunday that the city’s water remains safe because of the treatment is receives at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant.
A spokesman for Alberta’s environment minister said Sunday that officials with the department are working with Calgary and Cochrane to ensure drinking water remains safe.
Officials have asked people to stay out of the Bow River as a precaution.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2023.
