The unreasonably high temperatures and scheduled maintenance work have created fear of a water shortage, forcing the city to ask north end residents to cut back on water use for the next two days.

Calgary’s water department is asking people to refrain from watering lawns, gardens and trees.

Paul Fesco, the city’s manager of strategic services for water resources, said recent summer-like temperatures have led to a spike in water demand and scheduled maintenance work has limited supply.

Calgary also supplies water to Airdrie residents from a reservoir in the city’s north.

Fesko said maintenance work was planned six months ago and was slated during a time when water demand is relatively low.

“Unfortunately the weather got hot on the weekend and people got outside and started to increase water demand and started to draw down on the reservoir,” he said.

Residents and businesses can help by refraining from non-essential water use, such as washing down outdoor water surfaces, including sidewalks or driveways.

“Calgarians are always extremely co-operative pitching in during a situation when we need to reduce water consumption,” he said.