The City of Calgary, Alberta, recently declared a state of local emergency due to an extended timeline for repairing a burst water main that has severely constrained the city's water supply. Mayor Jyoti Gondek signed the emergency declaration following the discovery of five additional areas requiring repairs, which are expected to delay the process by three to five weeks.
Efforts to expedite repairs include sourcing parts and expertise from across North America and collaborating with Alberta’s energy industry. The initial rupture, which cut off 60% of Calgary's treated water supply on June 5, has been repaired, but attention has now shifted to the newly identified problem areas. Repair work on these hotspots has begun concurrently.
Meanwhile, city officials have confirmed a third-party review will investigate the cause of the catastrophic break.
House Passes Bill to Mandate 'Do-Not-Flush' Labeling on Wipes
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would require the Federal Trade Commission to create and enforce rules mandating clear labeling on sanitary wipes that clog sewer systems. The bill, HR 2964, stipulates that such wipes must be prominently labeled with a "Do Not Flush" warning.
The legislation covers a wide range of wipes, including baby wipes, bathroom wipes, household cleaning wipes and personal care wipes. The bill now awaits approval from the Senate before it can be sent to the president for enactment.
Kitten Rescued From Iowa Storm Drain
A kitten trapped 20 feet underground was successfully rescued from a storm drain by Muscatine, Iowa's animal control officer and the City of Muscatine Sewer Department staff.
Four staff members from the sewer department used a camera to locate the kitten in the underground pipes. They devised a plan to lift the kitten to safety using a duct tape platform attached to a string. After 45 minutes of effort, the kitten was safely pulled to the surface and taken to a local humane center for care.
