Alert | State of Local Emergency in Effect

City declares State of Local Emergency. Water restrictions and Fire ban in place. Our water is safe to drink.

Water Saving Tips, FAQs, more information

Water restrictions for businesses

How businesses can reduce their water use

Businesses have been asked to limit indoor water use voluntarily. We appreciate businesses need to use water to fulfill operational needs. We thank all businesses who are doing their part for the community to conserve water. 

Some customers are being contacted directly to cease water use for particular non-essential purposes.

Here are some clarifications and examples to reduce non-essential water use without compromising safety or quality. 

Florist business

Essential use exemptions

  • Businesses using water to deliver a life-sustaining product or service
  • Businesses that must use water to meet health code standards, such as hospitals and restaurants

Non-essential use

Businesses outside of those identified as essential, are considered non-essential.

All businesses are asked to reduce non-essential water use. 

Tips for businesses to reduce water use

It is critical that we reduce our water use. Click through the tabs below for ways to reduce your water use based on your business type. 

All businesses

  • Adjust and lower building temperatures. Cooling can place demands on our system. We urge commercial buildings to review and adjust water-based temperature control systems to ensure optimal indoor temperatures. CSA's acceptable range is 23-26 C
  • Fix leaking taps in kitchens, laundry rooms and toilets, dishwashers etc.
  • Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants 
  • Identify areas/processes for increased water efficiency for daily operations
  • Wipe instead of wash and sweep instead of spray – review cleaning practices to reduce or eliminate water use
  • Work with staff to identify ways to minimize water use and loss throughout their work duties

Business types

Carwashes

The City of Calgary made the decision to ask car washes, car dealerships and car repair shops to cease water use for vehicle cleaning. 

We are in the process of reaching out to these businesses to explain this decision and address concerns and questions. 

Beverage manufacturing

Including breweries, distilleries, bottling

  • Reuse rinse/flush water within the production line instead of discharging it
  • Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities
  • Put posters inside washrooms advising visitors on how to conserve water:

Restaurants, bars, casinos

  • Only provide water if asked and consider using bottled water instead of tap water to fulfill these requests
  • Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigerators, freezers and other equipment
  • Ensure dishwashers are performing efficiently without leaks or water loss
  • Train staff to minimize water loss during food prep and cleaning
  • Use compostible products where possible to reduce dish washing. See suggested alternatives
  • Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants
  • Put posters inside washrooms advising visitors on how to conserve water:

Hotels, motels, Airbnbs and short-term rental units

  • Put posters and cards inside guest rooms and elevators to advise guests to reduce showers to three minutes or less:
  • Reduce bedsheet and towel changes for guest stays. Offer incentives for customers to reuse towels and sheets (e.g. meal vouchers, discounts, etc.)
  • Run only full loads of laundry
  • Consider closing swimming pools and shower areas
  • Turn off irrigation systems
  • Turn off ice machines
  • Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants
  • Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigerators, freezers and other equipment
  • Ensure dishwashers are performing efficiently without leaks or water loss
  • Train staff to minimize water loss during food prep and cleaning
  • Use compostable products where possible to reduce dishwashing. See suggested alternatives

Condos, apartment buildings

  • Collect rainwater to use for communal property landscaping and plants
  • Fix leaking taps and toilets in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms etc.

Small retail

This includes strip malls and small offices

  • Encourage employees to work from home where operationally possible
  • Use non-water cleaning methods if possible
  • Limit/shut-off dishwashers
  • Check for leaks in hoses and equipment
  • Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants

Grocery stores

  • Plan food preparation activities to reduce water use
  • Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities
  • Recirculate cooling water
  • Monitor water use in garden centres/plants areas
    • repair leaking hoses
    • prevent watering on floors and shelving
    • remove dead plants that can’t be saved to prioritize water for living plants
  • Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigeration condensers/units
  • Cleaning tips (except when required by Health & Safety Regulations)
    • Use brooms and brushes over water cleaning methods
    • Cut down use of floor cleaning machines – spot wash when necessary in non-food prep areas

Food manufacturing

This also includes bakeries, commercial food makers and animal processing

  • Track water usage to meet lowered water targets
  • Recirculate cooling water
  • Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigeration condensers/units
  • Minimize water use that is not on the factory floor
  • Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities

Large retail

This includes shopping malls, office buildings, museums, sport and fitness facilities, post secondary
 
  • Encourage employees to work from home where operationally possible
  • Cut down use of floor cleaning machines – spot wash when necessary, in non-food prep areas
  • Shut indoor fountains
  • Close areas that require frequent cleaning with water and consider using wipes where appropriate (e.g. equipment)
  • Make onsite visits to tenants to check for water leaks and repairs. Provide water education information to tenants and encourage them to make smart decisions about water
  • Turn off irrigation systems
  • Reuse cooling water for other purposes

Non-hospital care

This includes childcare, medical clinics, personal care, pharmacies, hair/nail salons/spas

  • Use only necessary towels and linens to reduce required laundry
  • Only run full loads of laundry and dishes
  • Use compostable products where possible to reduce dish washing. See suggested alternatives
  • Turn off water features and fountains
  • Complete “dry” haircuts at salons or wet hair with a spray bottle instead of a full wash

 

Manufacturing

This includes chemical, computer, electrical, energy, furniture, machinery, metals processing, plastic, printing, textiles and wood products

  • Complete maintenance and repair of equipment
  • Reduce or eliminate water use when not necessary for core business functions
  • Reuse cooling water for other purposes
  • Reuse rinse/flush water within the production line instead of discharging it
  • Examine where less water can be used without compromising quality/safety
  • Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities

Animal care

This includes vet clinics and groomers

  • Dry groom (only wash dogs if necessary)
  • Ensure all wash basins, hoses, taps and nozzles are in good working order and not leaking.
  • Repair equipment in need of maintenance
  • Install low-flow nozzles and fixtures
  • Install recirculating systems for water or a double-tank hydrobath that recycles water
  • Clean premises with non-water methods where possible (e.g. use brooms, especially in non-grooming areas)

Laundromats and drycleaners

  • Remind customers about conservation efforts and encourage them to only run full loads of laundry  
    • On short cycles if possible
    • Only washing items required for the week and leaving items that can wait
    • Ensuring all washers and hose lines are not leaking

Recreation facilities, pools and fitness centres

Recognizing the impact that they have on our water supply to maintain, we’ve asked all City and partner recreational pools to close until further notice. 

  • If pools can source alternative potable water from a source that is NOT City of Calgary water supply, we will allow it as long as they are not tying into the existing lines – it has to be filled directly into the pool tank/reservoir via hosing or bulk transfer to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Alberta Health Services (AHS) has established Pool Standards that pool operators must adhere to, this includes maintaining pools at minimum water levels for the heath of recirculation system and water quality,
  • Outdoor pools are prohibited from operation while the Stage 4 water restrictions are in place.
  • Put posters inside recreation facilities and pools advising visitors on how to conserve water:
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