Concerns Over Calgary’s Infrastructure Risks Prompt Discussions Among Council
In the aftermath of yet another disastrous water main rupture, Calgary is bracing for discussions centered on the elevated risk of infrastructure failures at this week’s council meeting.
A year-end assessment commissioned by the City of Calgary has revealed that its capital infrastructure has plummeted to a critical level on its evaluation scale, denoting an “almost certain” risk of failure that could lead to significant ramifications.
The conclusions drawn from the report highlight an “urgent necessity” for city officials to comprehend which segments of their vital infrastructure are deteriorating and identify singular points of failure within their operational systems.
This report comes on the heels of Calgary experiencing its second major water main break in just 18 months, which resulted in extensive flooding across the northwest and imposed weeks of water conservation measures.
Ward 5 Councillor Raj Dhaliwal noted that the timeliness of this report is fortuitous, as it can guide the council in strategizing infrastructure funding for the forthcoming four years.
“This is an opportunity to start contemplating all of that in the lead-up to the four-year budget cycle,” Dhaliwal articulated.
Calgary officials lift all water restrictions effective immediately
City officials announced that the final pumps have been activated at the Bearspaw feeder main and the system is currently stable, though forthcoming work will necessitate the reinstatement of restrictions in spring and fall.
The report indicates that 11 percent of Calgary’s assets are classified as being in poor or very poor condition. Factors such as deferred maintenance, insufficient investments, climate change, and extreme weather events have contributed to the degradation of certain infrastructural elements, consequently increasing the likelihood of service interruptions and safety hazards.
Dhaliwal expressed a desire for a more defined and comprehensive overview from the city’s administration regarding which infrastructural components are particularly vulnerable.
“I am unsettled by this [report] because it merely represents a small shift on the heat map from orange to red. What I seek is a holistic understanding along with the granular data backing this up,” Dhaliwal remarked.
The catastrophic failure of the Bearspaw feeder main in late December resulted in weeks of water restrictions for Calgary.
Ward 4 Councillor DJ Kelly emphasized that the report serves as a wake-up call for the city to take decisive action. He underscored that after years of prioritizing growth, it is imperative to allocate more resources to neighborhoods where foundational infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, and recreational facilities, is languishing.
“I hope we do not require further impetus to expedite improvements to water infrastructure,” Kelly stated. “However, I do anticipate that this report will also generate heightened awareness among council members regarding our other infrastructural challenges.”
Challenges Posed by Cybersecurity Threats
Another pressing issue highlighted in the city’s report is the risk of technological disruption.
Kelly remarked that he is not surprised to see cybersecurity threats rated so prominently, noting that the city’s obligation to communicate with its residents makes it an attractive target for malicious actors.
The report indicates that the city’s rate of clicking on phishing links from May to August 2024 was up to 15 times higher than that of other municipalities or similarly sized organizations.
“The same caution we all exercise at home—such as avoiding suspicious email links—applies to the City of Calgary, which receives an overwhelming volume of such emails,” Kelly explained.
“While a breach at home might result in a challenging day for an individual, a similar incident within city operations could have devastating implications.”
Tom Keenan, a professor at the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, stated that the city deserves recognition for its cybersecurity initiatives, noting the absence of significant breaches thus far and its advanced preparedness compared to other urban centers.
However, he cautioned that the city must scrutinize all potential vulnerabilities—from privacy risks associated with security cameras to excessive disclosure of information in public online directories or on LinkedIn about personnel responsible for city operations.
“What the city must undertake is a thorough cybersecurity analysis and vulnerability testing, along with engaging in various what-if scenarios,” Keenan advised.
“I am certain they are already conducting such evaluations; however, my recommendation is to compile a comprehensive list and verify it meticulously.”
Source link: Cbc.ca.
