Irrigation companies urge city to lift outdoor water restrictions so employees can work, get paid | CBC News

The head of the association that represents irrigation companies in the Calgary area says many employees in the industry have been without work since the city's outdoor water restrictions were imposed in early June — and they are not sure how much longer people can survive without a paycheque.

The Stage 4 water restrictions that prohibited watering lawns, gardens and flowers were imposed the day after the critical feeder line in Montgomery and Bowness burst June 5.

Those who install and service underground water sprinklers say that's meant limited or no work for staff — and therefore pay — for weeks. The conditions mean staff can't flush the lines and can't check or fix leaks or new systems.

"We need our employees to get back to work, they are our families … and right now those families are absolutely hurting because there's nothing we can do," said Kyle Brost, president of the Canadian Prairie chapter of the Irrigation Association.

The association represents agriculture, golf courses, turf companies and many others.

Brost said the restrictions are affecting about 1,000 workers, or roughly 75 per cent of the local industry.

Some businesses say the uncertainty about when restrictions will lift has been stressful.

"Are they moving to Stage 3? Stage 2? Stage 1? Are they going to remove them all together?" said Myles Sidorak, founder of Naiad Irrigation Systems.

In a statement to CBC News, the city said it remains in Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions and anticipates it will be in some level of water restrictions for some time.

"We recognize this has been a hardship for many businesses and greatly appreciate everyone's support in ensuring water availability for the health and safety of all Calgarians during this time," the statement reads.

In the city's final daily water update on Thursday, Sue Henry, chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, said the lifting of the local state of emergency didn't mean the situation had returned to normal.

"The feeder main is still not operating at full capacity," Henry said.

"We are, unfortunately, still not at a place where we can relax those outdoor restrictions and move to Stage 3."

WATCH | City announces the end of daily water updates:

City provides update on water main break

In its statement on Friday, the city said outdoor water use places an increased demand on the system, which, in Calgary, tends to increase as temperatures rise.

It said generally water use can increase by 20 to 30 per cent, particularly during hot days when temperatures exceed 25 C.

As it previously has stated, the city said it is not offering compensation at this time.

Brost said the city needs to reach Stage 2 for them to be able to do some work, which would allow them to water one hour per week.

He said he believes the daily updates shouldn't have ended yet.

"The crisis is not over," he said. "Yes, you can shower, but there is a huge industry that can't do anything."

Sidorak said he's disappointed by what he feels is a lack of support by the city.

"I know I've received multiple emails from the city saying they need our support in regards to outdoor water restrictions to make sure that all the double check valves are off, all the timers off, 'Please give us your support, we need your support.' Where's the support for the irrigation industry?" he said.

And the longer this outdoor water ban goes on, Sidorak said, this frustration may spill over to the community more generally.

"We've all been really fortunate with all the rain lately. So the next two weeks, it's going to get really hot and dry, and I think people are going to be less understanding of the outdoor water restrictions," Sidorak said.

With files from Colleen Underwood and Lily Dupuis