Water Main Breaks a Costly Problem Nationwide, Not Just in Calgary and Montreal: Report

The strength of water supply pipelines across Canada is in question after surprise water main breaks in Calgary and Montreal, with about a third of the pipes reaching the end of their expected life span, according to a recent report. Calgary’s water main break in early June resulted in the city imposing water use restrictions for several weeks. The restrictions were lifted on July 2, but on Aug. 7 the city said it would need to put water restrictions back in place for more work on the water line. On Aug. 16, a water main in Montreal burst, causing flooding of basements near the Jacques Cartier Bridge. Crews were on the scene all day and a boil water advisory was in effect for several Montreal neighbourhoods....