Airdrie is currently under level 4 outdoor water restrictions

June 6, 2024 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Airdrie, AB

Airdrie is currently under level four outdoor water restrictions due to an extensive water main break in Calgary. All outdoor water use is temporarily banned and indoor water conservation is strongly encouraged.

The water main break in northwest Calgary is affecting the water supply to Calgary and surrounding communities, including Airdrie. Residents in all of these communities are asked to immediately stop outdoor water usage outdoors.

At this time DO NOT:

• Water lawns, gardens, trees, and shrubs by any method other than using rainwater.
• Wash down any outdoor surfaces, including exterior building surfaces, windows, sidewalks, driveways, or walkways of any sort unless your business requires to for health and safety reasons.
• Wash cars on driveways or streets.
• Fill outdoor decorative features, fountains, pools, or hot tubs.
• Use potable water for construction purposes such as grading, compaction, or dust control

All exception permits are suspended while level four restrictions are in place and the City of Airdrie has suspended bulk water sales effective immediately.

Residents are also strongly encouraged to follow indoor water conservation:

Voluntary indoor water restrictions:
There are no boil water advisories in effect within the City of Airdrie and water remains safe to drink. To ensure we share the water currently available, we are asking Airdrie residents to immediately restrict indoor water use by taking the following voluntary actions:

• Use dishwasher and washing machine only when required and with full loads.
• Turn off the tap when brushing teeth or shaving.
• Limit showers to five minutes or less and keeping baths shallow.
• Scrape plates clean rather than rinsing food off.
• Turn off humidifiers and ice machines, delay washing vehicles, 
• Businesses using large volumes of non-essential water, such as laundromats and car washes, are being asked to reduce water use. 
• Businesses using water to deliver a product or service that is life sustaining for people and animals are exempt. Other exemptions include any businesses that must use water to meet health code standards, such as health centres and restaurants.

For more water conservation tips, visit www.airdrie.ca/waterconservation.

Again, there are no boil water advisories in effect for Airdrie. For details on repairs of the water mains, please contact the City of Calgary.

Fire ban
To support the water ban and reduce the potential for fire-related water use, a fire ban is in effect for the City of Airdrie effective immediately. Fire ban updates will be posted on www.airdrie.ca/firerestriction.

Under this ban:

• All existing fire permits are suspended
• No residential fire pits
• No campground fire pits
• No solid fuelled barbeque appliances, where the primary source of fuel consists of charcoal, briquettes, or wood
• No new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve.
• Consumer fireworks are not permitted, eexploding targets, model rockets, ddisplay fireworks and pyrotechnic special effects

Use of the following is allowed: 

• Natural gas or propane fire pits that are CSA approved or ULC certified.
• Natural gas, propane or electric stoves, barbecues, and smokers that are CSA approved or ULC certified.
• Catalytic or infrared style heaters that are CSA approved or UL certified; and
• Approved fires contained in industrial facilities or sites (energy, forestry or agricultural)

The fire ban will remain in effect until repairs are made and normal water consumption can resume.

The City of Airdrie have been shutting down City irrigation systems overnight and have suspended fire hydrant testing. 

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Media contact:
Lorne Stevens
Director of Community Infrastructure
403.629.2653
lorne.stevens@airdrie.ca