Boil-water advisory, lane closures remain in effect in Eagle Ridge due to water main repairs

The southwest community of Eagle Ridge remains under a boil-water advisory, and commuters can expect traffic snarls along 14th Street S.W. as crews work to repair a water main break.

Two northbound and two southbound lanes on 14th Street S.W. between 75th Avenue S.W. and Heritage Drive are closed until further notice, with only one lane open in each direction.

“This is a challenging repair and will take some time to complete,” Calgary Water Services said in a statement on Monday. “Significant traffic delays are likely. Please use alternative routes if possible and follow all signage and detours.”

Depending on pipe conditions, Water Services may need to adjust lane closures to complete repairs.

On Oct. 16, city crews discovered a problem while repairing a water main that serves the community of Eagle Ridge and Heritage Park.

An unanticipated depressurization of the pipe occurred during repairs and could not guarantee water quality, said an update by the city on Monday.

Alberta Health Services issued a boil-water advisory as a precaution. The issue is unrelated to the Bearspaw South feeder main.

Loss in pressure can happen when there is a break or leak in a pipe, Calgary Water Services said in a statement.

“The drop in pressure breaks the continuous outward push of water, allowing outside groundwater, soil, bacteria or sewage to potentially seep into the pipes,” the statement said. “An advisory is usually issued immediately as a safety precaution, before actual contamination is even confirmed.”

About 100 homes in Eagle Ridge are affected by the advisory, along with Heritage Park.

Service is only disrupted to one home, according to Calgary’s water outages website.

Residents living within the affected area are advised to bring all tap water to a rolling boil for one minute before consuming.

This includes water used for drinking, including coffee and tea, cooking, brushing teeth, cleaning raw foods, preparing infant formula or juices, and making ice.

In-home water filters are not sufficient, and all water in them must still be boiled before use, the city said.

If not used in a dishwasher, all water used to clean surfaces or dishes should be boiled.

Water used for bathing and laundry does not require boiling.

All food establishments, care providers and personal service facilities are asked to contact Environmental Public Health via 1-833-476-2743 for directions.

Residents can also choose to purchase bottled water, and water wagons are available in the area at 143 Eagle Ridge Dr.; 20 Eagle Ridge Pl.; 68 Eagle Crest Pl.; 215 Eagle Ridge Dr.; and 247 Eagle Ridge Dr. S.W.

There is currently no estimate on when the boil-water advisory will be lifted or when repairs will be complete, the city said.

“Crews are digging to expose the break to assess the issue and determine the best way to repair it,” the statement said. “How long this takes depends on how deeply the pipe is buried, how complex of a break it is, as well as ground and weather conditions.”

Residents can find more updates by visiting calgary.ca/boilwater.

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