On Friday, downtown Montreal experienced its second major water main break in just over a month, raising concerns about the city’s aging water infrastructure, according to civil engineer Dr. Rebecca Dziedzic. She is, an assistant professor at Concordia University specializing in building, civil, and environmental engineering, highlighted that the recent break follows a similar incident near the McGill Health Centre last month, which temporarily closed the facility. “These events serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with outdated infrastructure and their impact on public safety,” she said.
The pipe involved in Friday’s break was installed in 1985. Dziedzic noted that many of Montreal’s water pipes are about 50 to 60 years old, a period when infrastructure typically starts to show signs of wear and tear. Dziedzic explained that in recent decades, there has been increased attention to the condition of Canadian water systems. The Canadian Infrastructure Report Card, which assesses the state of infrastructure including water mains and sewers, revealed in its 2019 report that 30 percent of water infrastructure is in fair, poor, or very poor condition.
“While awareness has grown and improvements are being made, it’s crucial to continue proactive maintenance,” Dziedzic said. “In some Canadian cities, we’ve seen a reduction in the frequency of breaks due to effective preventative measures.” She emphasized the importance of regular inspections and assessments of water piping systems. Advanced technologies, such as sound or electromagnetic inspection devices, can help detect issues like cracks or corrosion before they lead to significant problems. Factors like soil conditions, operational pressures, and variations in pressure also play a role in the health of the infrastructure.
The city is currently working to shut off the water supply in the affected area. After draining the water, officials will assess the damage to determine the cause and extent of the break. The availability of repair materials will influence the repair timeline, which could be lengthy, similar to a recent situation in Calgary. The broken pipe, which was over two meters in diameter and carried drinking water, was under significant pressure. “The force of the water escaping from such a large, pressurized pipe is immense, resulting in a geyser-like effect,” Dziedzic explained.
She underscored the often-overlooked scale and importance of water infrastructure. “It’s easy to forget the complexity of our underground systems that deliver vast amounts of clean, safe water. While failures can occur, it’s crucial for cities to ensure their infrastructure is well-maintained.” Dziedzic urged residents to advocate for better inspection and assessment of critical infrastructure to ensure its reliability and safety.
