How to get a whole city to stop lawn watering?

Calgarians halfway through water rationing redux as experts call for praise over punishment

- LAUREN KRUGEL

In June, a burst feeder main in Calgary forced a citywide clampdown on water use. In August, more trouble spots were found, leading to another round of repairs until Sept. 23.

For almost two weeks, a city of 1.6 million people has been told once again to stop watering lawns, take threeminute showers, hold off on laundry and dishes, and let the yellow in their toilets mellow.

Calgarians are about halfway through water rationing redux and, this time, more has gone down the drain than the city can sustainably manage as a troubled pipe is repaired.

Some who study social dynamics during crises say it will take continued appeals to citizens’ better natures, a constant stream of detailed information and a sparing use of punishment to get through the outage, slated to end around Sept. 23.

Canadians are generally a rule-following bunch who are willing to act for the common good, says University of Calgary professor Allen Habib.

“If the authorities asked you to do something, that’s a reason to do it right there,” he said.