Calgary, AB – The recent water main break in the city has sparked controversy and raised questions among city councillors. During a council meeting on Monday, several councillors expressed their concerns and frustrations over the cause and cost of the incident.
Councillor Jeromy Farkas was one of the most vocal critics, stating that he was “appalled” by the situation. He questioned the administration on why the water main broke and why it took so long to fix it.
According to the city’s water services manager, the break was caused by a combination of factors, including the age of the pipe and the extreme cold weather. The pipe, which was installed in the 1960s, was not designed to withstand such low temperatures.
Councillor Farkas also raised concerns about the cost of the repairs, which is estimated to be around $2 million. He questioned whether the city could have saved money by investing in better infrastructure maintenance.
In response, the administration explained that the cost was necessary due to the urgency of the situation. The break caused significant damage to the surrounding area, including roads and homes, and needed to be fixed as soon as possible.
Other councillors also expressed their frustration with the lack of communication from the administration during the incident. Councillor Druh Farrell stated that she was disappointed with the lack of updates and information provided to the affected residents.
In light of these concerns, the council has requested a detailed report from the administration on the cause and cost of the water main break. They have also asked for a plan to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The city’s mayor, Naheed Nenshi, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured the council that the administration would take the necessary steps to address their concerns.
The water main break, which occurred on April 29, affected over 100 homes and businesses in the area. The repairs were completed on May 3, and the water service has been restored to the affected residents.
The council meeting ended with a call for better communication and transparency from the administration in the future. The city will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from happening.
