Town of Cochrane says water reservoir at ‘critical level’ after sewage break over the weekend | CBC News

The Town of Cochrane says it remains focused on stopping the leak of wastewater into the Bow River, which feeds Calgary’s water supply, after an accident damaged a sanitary sewer pipe. 

In a press conference on Monday, Shawn Polley, the deputy director of emergency management and fire chief for the Town of Cochrane, said a contractor completing work on behalf of the town had “impacted” its wastewater and water pipelines as it was setting up for drilling operations at about 6 p.m. Saturday. This resulted in a sewer line break that was sending wastewater in the Bow River.

Polley said that at 8:30 that evening, the town activated its Emergency Coordination Centre, allowing for heightened coordination between the town, the City of Calgary, Rocky View County, Alberta Environment and Alberta Health Services. 

“Since that time, crews have been working around the clock to mitigate and contain the impact of this incident, working on both the water and wastewater lines to control the flow of water and also stem the wastewater that is currently flowing,” said Polley.

In an update posted to Cochrane’s website, the town says stopping the flow of wastewater 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.

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.

“Our water reservoirs, which we use to store safe, potable drinking water that we provide to all of Cochrane as well as maintain fire suppression capability, are at critical levels,” said Mike Derricott, the town’s chief administrative officer at Monday’s press conference. 

The town implemented level three water restrictions on Sunday morning, with residents and businesses asked to reduce their water consumption until further notice. 

On Monday morning, the town took the “added steps” of restricting water to area hotels and a vehicle dealership located northwest of the impacted site, said Polley. He added that Spray Lakes Sawmills Centre has also temporarily closed. 

Derricott said the town has begun hauling in water from the community of Harmony, southeast of the town, and that residents and businesses will be asked to conserve water for the coming days. 

He added that the town does not currently have a timeline on when the mitigation of the accident will be complete, or when the pathway system around the site of the incident will open back up to residents, but that there is currently “no active flow” of wastewater into the Bow River. 

All pathways adjacent to the Bow River from the Highway 22 bridge to Griffin Industrial Point remain closed.

A City of Calgary spokesperson said 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 in an email.

Mark Crowdis, the City of Calgary’s manager of water quality and regulatory assurance, said Sunday the city’s water remains safe because of the treatment it receives at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant.

A spokesperson 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.