Residential river water pick up
Calgary residents who were unable to collect rainwater and are looking for non-potable water sources now have river water available for pick up. The complimentary river water available to Calgarians can be used to water garden vegetables, flowers, outdoor and indoor plants.
Pick up location and times
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Ambrose University | |
|
Bankside Day Use Area |
153 Avenue SE within Fish Creek Provincial Park |
| Bishop O'Byrne Senior High School | |
| Ogden Boat Launch |
Just south of Inglewood Golf Club (not at the Graves Bridge boat launch) |
| Spyhill Landfill | |
| The Genesis Centre | |
| West Baker Park Boat Launch |
How does river water pick up work?
- City staff will be on site to assist at the water trailer. There will be a hose to gravity fill from a trailer.
- You must bring your own container to hold the water (for example, buckets, tubs, gallon buckets, etc.).
- This is a self-load water pick up. You will be responsible for carrying water to your vehicle at the pick up site and unloading. City staff are not permitted to load containers into your vehicle. Water is heavy, choose your container wisely. For example a 4 litre milk jug weights 4 kilos or 8.8 pounds.
- To ensure there is a fair opportunity for all Calgarians, you can take up to 25 gallons/100 litres of water.
Safety at pick up site
- Sites are busy, stay in vehicles until it is your turn to fill up
- Be aware of vehicle and foot traffic
- Practice safe lifting – consider appropriate container sizes and water weight
- Sanitize hands before and after
Containers
You can use any sort of container such as milk jugs, tubs or gallon buckets. Keep in mind, water is heavy and the bigger the container the longer it takes to fill.
Clean and sanitize any containers used to store non-potable water before using them again with tap drinking water.
Using river water
Do
Do water your outdoor garden, flowers and indoor plants. Best to water the roots/near the stem rather than the leaves or fruit.
Do use for handwashing as long as it is boiled for one minute.
Do use this water for cleaning purposes but not for surfaces or utensils/implements in contact with food.
Don't
Don’t use this water to wash fresh food, food preparation or washing dishes unless it is boiled for one minute to kill bacteria.
Don’t drink this water.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between potable and non-potable water?
Potable water means that the water is treated and can be used for consumption including drinking and hygiene purposes. Non-potable is untreated and is not safe for drinking. It can be used to water garden vegetables, flowers and other outdoor plants as well as indoor plants.
Is non-potable water safe to drink?
Non-potable water is not tap water and is not safe for drinking or for pets.
Is there a cost to fill up a container with river water?
No, this is a free service that The City is providing for Calgary residents that are unable to collect rainwater to use as non-potable water.
How long will it take to pick up water?
We appreciate your patience during the pick up process. If the water truck runs out of river water, operations will be temporarily paused to allow for the truck to be refilled and return. This process could approximately take 5-10 minutes. A staff member will be on-site to let you know if that happens.
How much water can I take?
To ensure there is a fair opportunity for all Calgarians, you can take up to 25 gallons/100 litres of water. Keep in mind, water is heavy and the bigger the container the longer it takes to fill.
How come The City can take water out of the river but I cannot?
A citizen cannot take water from Calgary rivers unless you have a valid permit from the Government of Alberta. Taking water from our rivers is regulated by the Province under The Alberta Water Act. The City of Calgary has the required permits to do so. We don't want residents slipping while carrying heavy containers so we have established sites for easy pick up of non-potable river water for residential use (outdoor use) and for construction work.
What if I need more than 25 gallons/100 litres?
If residents need additional water, the commercial bulk fill site is available. We are asking them to self-identify that extra water is needed, then will be directed to the appropriate water tank. Priority will be given to bulk haulers first. It is Calgarians’ responsibility to ensure appropriate container along with vehicle weight/capacities are not exceeded.
Why were these locations picked?
We have heard that Calgarians are unable to collect rainwater and want to use river water. We understand the urgency to make this happen. These locations were already established as part our work with the construction industry and allowed us to get non-potable water to citizens in a timely manner. More locations will be added as we secure supplies and locations.