Landscape Alberta says industry is 'drowning' due to Calgary water restrictions

Landscape Alberta says many companies in the industry are "drowning" — facing widespread layoffs due to a lack of work caused by stringent outdoor water restrictions in Calgary.

The association of landscapers says its members have been disproportionately affected by limits to water use imposed after the catastrophic Bearspaw feeder main break in June.

Joel Beatson is the executive director of Landscape Alberta, which represents landscapers, tree and sod growers, lawn care companies and garden centres across the province. He says the association is asking the city to allow some landscaping work to continue during the upcoming shutdown of the key water pipe that is expected to last four weeks, staring later this month. 

"With more than 500 landscape firms, or related firms, in the industry in Calgary, we employ over 5,000 people," Beatson said. "Many are reporting up to 50 per cent of their staff will be laid off in the next week if we don't get some help from the city in terms of how to handle this."

Beatson says the initial six weeks of outdoor water restrictions had devastating effects on many landscapers. With another four to six weeks of water woes on the horizon — during the industry's busiest time of the year — the association estimates it will amount to double the impact on its workforce.

"We're now talking more than 50 per cent of the season lost," he said.

"You've literally turned off the tap to be able to function as a company," Beatson said. "The city has done well to provide pumping stations and do those things. But in those cases, people were talking three- to six-hour waits to fill a water truck, which does not make it nearly efficient enough to get any work done."

City officials said in a Thursday update that non-potable water will be available for gardening, landscaping and construction.

"We are aware that there are different businesses who have unique needs and unique uses, and so we're working with them to understand what some of the challenges are and provide solutions like non-potable water where it's possible," said Nicole Newton, Calgary's manager of natural environment and adaptation.

"We've certainly heard the lineups the last time were a big constraint, so we're actively working how can we expand the capacity for that," she said.

When it comes to offering businesses possible exemptions from restrictions in order to continue using water for work, she said the water utility bylaw limits the exemptions that can be granted.

"The director only has certain authorities around what is allowed and what can be exempted. So we'll be looking to that bylaw to help guide some of our decisions," Newton said.

Landscape Alberta is asking the city for several changes, including:

• Allow the landscape and construction activities listed in Stage 3 of restrictions to be permitted through exemption during the upcoming repairs.
• Remove all restrictions in the lead-up to the Aug. 26 shutdown to permit additional watering ahead of restrictions to allow plant material to survive the repair timeline.
• Open additional water pumping facilities, including use of stormwater ponds, to ensure professional landscape users do not have extended travel or wait times.
• Add the ability to test irrigation systems using compressed air as opposed to water.
• Ask all businesses to reduce non-essential indoor water usage to allow for the landscape professional to not be unfairly singled out.

"The mayor in her press conference last week was very clear about this, 'we don't want to shut any businesses down,'" Beatson said. "But we're here to say, 'you are shutting businesses down in one sector.'"

Landscape Alberta adds that without proper landscaping work, there will be a lasting effect on the green infrastructure in Calgary.

"Many projects will not be completed, plant material will not have proper establishment time before winter," a release from Landscape Alberta reads.

Construction to repair the major feeder main as well as several sections of damaged pipe in Calgary is set to begin Aug. 28.