Water Update:

Repair work begins August 26

The City has announced that, based on new information, additional urgent repairs are needed to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. This conclusion is based on analysis of the recent results from our PipeDiver device, combined with previous testing and ongoing acoustic monitoring. While this is not an emergency situation like we experienced in June, the new data has uncovered additional points in the pipe where urgent repair work is needed by the end of September.

Timing is crucial for managing Calgary’s water supply through the winter. Calgary sources its water from the Bow and Elbow Rivers. The Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant draws water from the Bow River, while the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant sources from the Elbow River. During spring and summer, river flows are higher due to rainfall and snowmelt in the mountains. In late fall and winter, we rely on the Glenmore Reservoir as our water "bank," drawing it down as flows on the Elbow River decrease. We need to complete the repairs while the flow is still high enough to refill the Reservoir for winter.

To facilitate these urgent repairs, we will need to shut down the South Bearspaw Feeder Main and stop the flow of water through it between August 26 and the end of September.

During this time, we will return to Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions and will also be asking Calgarians and businesses to limit their non-essential indoor water use to reduce the strain on our rivers and water treatment plants while work is underway.

Read more and watch the video update here: Update August 7: Critical water main break affecting city-wide water usage (calgary.ca)

Green Line Update

Faced with cost escalation, Council had to make a challenging decision: build the core of Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT, or delay it further which will only make the project more expensive and less likely to ever be built.

The City is moving forward on construction of the Green Line LRT from Eau Claire to Lynnwood/Millican. This revised scope facilitates future phases to be constructed both north and south, while bringing riders into the downtown and connecting to the Red and Blue LRT lines. Read more here.

Secondary Suite Incentive Program Launch

The City of Calgary is proud to introduce the Secondary Suite Incentive Program, an initiative aimed at encouraging safe and accessible housing for Calgarians.

The Secondary Suite Incentive Program is a component of Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy. It provides a qualifying homeowner up to $10,000 to cover a portion of construction costs to develop and register a safe secondary suite.

The incentive applies to suites built within the main dwelling, not for backyard or detached suites. Applications are limited to one per person and you must own the property through the entire process. Qualifying homeowners with an active building permit can apply for the following:

• Egress windows
• Hardwired and interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Protected exiting
• Smoke-tight barriers
• Split heat/separate air
• Additional funding is available for accessibility and energy efficiency

The Secondary Suite Incentive Program is open for applications. Learn more about the program or apply at calgary.ca/suite-incentive.

Home & small business webinars

Register today for an upcoming home & small business webinar where City experts share valuable insights on a variety of planning and development topics. Our live and recorded webinars cover everything you need to know about home renovation requirements, small business best practices, building secondary and backyard suites and more.

For home renovation DIYers, we walk you through topics like building permit types and how to apply, safety code requirements, land use bylaws and tips on how to hire a contractor and prepare for inspections.

Whether you’re a small business owner or thinking about starting one, join us as we share best practices for both commercial and home-based businesses and show you how apply for a business licence and register your business.

If you’re thinking about expanding the capabilities of your property, our webinars outline the steps to develop a secondary or basement suite covering processes like how to apply for permits, register your suite, legalize a new or existing suite and discuss programs like the Secondary Suite Incentive Program.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/webinars.

Call for volunteers: Help plan Calgary’s future for older adults!

If you have first-hand insight on living as an older adult or as a caregiver to an older adult, your experience and ideas are needed. Consider volunteering for the Older Adult Advisory Table (OAAT). Your expertise will be used to inform strategies and actions for the Age-Friendly Calgary Steering Committee, action teams and staff.

Your Role as a Volunteer

• Inform and support strategic and action planning of the Seniors Age-Friendly Strategy in an advisory capacity.
• Provide the perspective of older adults to help make Calgary more age-friendly.
• Share ideas and perspectives from your personal networks or social groups with OAAT.
• Bring OAAT ideas and perspectives back to your personal networks or social groups.
• Share information about Age-Friendly Calgary with people you know and support the vision of Age-Friendly Calgary.

Requirements

• Aged 45 or over.
• Live in Calgary.
• Passionate about your community.
• Understand older adults’ needs now or in the future/ have experience as a caregiver.
• Feel comfortable to share and to provide feedback in a group setting.
• Commit to take part in monthly meetings and a two-year term.

Benefits

• Have your voice heard; help shape City programs and services.
• Make connections and broaden your network.
• Build and expand your skills.

Deadline for online applications is Wednesday, September 11.  For more information visit calgary.ca/OAAT.

Mission Bridge Rehabilitation

Beginning mid-August, Mission Bridge Rehabilitation Phase Two begins.

• Mission Bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 19 to accommodate the movement of fencing, materials, traffic controls, etc. to the east side of the bridge.
• Switching the lane closure on Mission Bridge from the west lane to the east lane is needed to accommodate ENMAX’s work in the area, and carry-on with the bridge rehabilitation.
• Pedestrians can access the bridge during the closure on the west side pathway.

Read more about the Mission Bridge Rehabilitation project here: Mission Bridge Rehabilitation (calgary.ca)

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