Cochrane water reservoir levels stabilized but 'not out of the woods yet,' say officials

While Cochrane remains under a state of emergency, town officials announced water reservoir levels have been partially restored after a major pipeline break over the weekend.

Speaking to the mediaWednesday,emergency management deputy director Shawn Polley said that thanks to voluntary conservation efforts from residents and business, as well as water hauling from nearby communities, reservoir levels had "stabilized."

"But we are not out of the woods yet," said Polley.

"We still need to conserve water as we complete the necessary repairs and work to maintain adequate levels in our water reservoirs."

The town located just west of Calgary entered a state of emergency on Mondayafter damages to a water pipeline, caused by drilling work carried out by a contractor, left the town's water reservoir at a critical level. A sanitary sewer line was also damaged.

Mike Derricott, the town's chief administrative officer, said a bypass line has been installed as a temporary measure to replace the impacted sewer line, andthe system is now functioning as normal.

Leak in water pipe located

Derricott added crews have located the leak in the water pipe, but are still working to turn off water flow to the damaged area.

As a result, Polley said a number of roadways throughout the town are currently closedincluding Westside Drive, Riverview Drive and eastbound Gleneagles Drive.

Sixteen residential homes, as well as several businesses located along Westside Drive, have been impacted by the ongoing incident, said Polley.

Residents are stillurged to use water sparingly to aid in conservation efforts.

The town will continue to haul in water from Harmony as well as the City of Calgary and Rocky View County, Derricott said. As of Wednesday afternoon, 12 trucks were actively running, with nine planning to run through the night.

YMCA Calgary said in a releaseWednesdayit would offer Cochrane residents free access to six of its centres for recreational use and showering.

Those six locations are:

• Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton 4995 Market St.S.E.
• Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot 8100 John Laurie Blvd. N.W.
• Remington YMCA in Quarry Park 108 Quarry Park Rd. S.E.
• Saddletowne YMCA 180-7555 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.
• Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge 11300 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W.
• Shawnessy YMCA 400-333 Shawville Blvd. S.E.