Opinion: Calgary's can-do spirit: A collaborative triumph that got water flowing again

Calgary Herald Article - BILD thanks city and industry for working hard on water crisis | Calgary Herald

Calgarians have a remarkable history of uniting in times of adversity, and this was evident once again when news broke of the failure of the Bearspaw South major water main on June 5. Swiftly, Calgarians adapted their daily routines to conserve water, from eliminating outdoor water usage to taking shorter showers. This collective effort underscored our community’s willingness to positively respond in difficult times. Essential to resolving the immediate crisis from the water main break were the co-ordinated efforts of numerous organizations that mobilized promptly to repair the water main and restore water flow in the main, exceeding initial timeline expectations.

Now that many have put away their cowboy boots for another year, the significance of repairing this break and partially restoring water service is amplified given this year’s record-setting attendance at the Calgary Stampede. The collaboration between private sector, industry members and the City of Calgary not only afforded the quickest repair and partial service restoration possible to allow Calgarians more flexibility in their water usage but also ensured one of the biggest tourism draws to Calgary proceeded without significant disruption.

More than 15 companies were integral to the repairs completed, collaborating closely with the City. This diverse group included contractors, suppliers, construction firms, and service professionals, all of whom worked tirelessly and innovatively around the clock. Working alongside, and collaboratively with the City, their collective expertise, problem-solving acumen and hard work played a crucial role in expediting the restoration of water service from the Bearspaw South line, which allowed the City to reduce the level of water restrictions.

One demonstration of the innovation and collaboration that occurred between organizations was the manufacturing of concrete-to-steel pipe adapters. These adapters were essential for seamlessly integrating new components with the existing pipeline, comparable to “shoelaces” for pipes, ensuring a secure fit. Volker Stevin worked together with Emco and Revolve, alongside welding teams, to manufacture these adapters from scratch in an incredibly short timeframe. They were then distributed to multiple sites managed by Volker Stevin, Whissell, and LBCO, highlighting a concerted team effort and dedication to the collective goal of repairing the line as quickly as possible.

The innovative, “can do” spirit shown by these organizations, many of whom we are proud to say are BILD Calgary Region members, highlights their commitment to our community and showcases their ability to mobilize and respond.

We extend our appreciation to the following organizations for their contributions to this undertaking and for demonstrating their collaborative abilities: Volker Stevin Contracting Ltd., Volker Stevin Canada, Standard General Calgary, Whissell Contracting Ltd., LBCO Contracting, Emco Corporation, Revolve Industries Inc., Sandale Utility Products, Stopaq, Wheatland Industrial Coatings, D Bar S Welding, ATCO, Bowmark Concrete Ltd., Denel Heavy Haulers, and Mike Vail Trucking Ltd.

We would also like to express gratitude to the City for its prompt response to the crisis, its proactive twice-daily updates to Calgarians, and its collaborative approach with industry stakeholders and Calgary businesses. BILD Calgary Region also acknowledges and appreciates the City’s work in engaging the private sector, co-ordinating efforts to repair and partially restore water service in the Bearspaw South main, and providing ongoing support for construction activities.

Like many Calgarians, we look forward to participating in and supporting the forthcoming independent post-incident review and understanding the cause of the break and any changes that need to be made. BILD Calgary Region remains committed to cost-effective extension of safe, reliable water service to needed new housing supply in our city and keeping water services affordable. We support the City of Calgary’s objectives of maximizing service from existing infrastructure and reducing the volume of water to treat and distribute, thereby making the cost to Calgarians as low as reasonably possible.

We commend the commitment to community welfare demonstrated by Calgarians throughout this challenging period as well as the innovation and same commitment displayed by the collaboration between the City of Calgary and the private sector.

Brian Hahn, chief executive officer, BILD Calgary Region?