Calgary Residents Asked to Cut Back on Water Use as Major Pipeline Repairs Get Underway

Residents in Calgary are once again being urged to reduce their water consumption as the city begins another round of work on a key part of its water supply system. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a major pipeline that normally provides a significant portion of the city’s drinking water, was taken offline on Monday so crews can carry out reinforcement work.

City officials say the repair project will likely take around four weeks to complete. During that time, Calgarians are being asked to use water carefully to help keep the system running smoothly.

Ryan Kidd, deputy director of drinking water with Calgary’s Water Services department, said crews will strengthen nine sections of the pipeline as part of the project. Six of those sections are located along 16 Avenue Northwest near Sarcee Trail, while the other three are situated at Point McKay Park.

Before any repair work could begin, pumps at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant were shut down and valves connected to the feeder main were closed to isolate the pipe from the rest of the city’s water system. Workers are currently draining the remaining water from the pipeline so excavation and reinforcement work can start.

Once the pipe is exposed, crews will install a steel reinforcement structure around the outside and then pour concrete over it. The process is intended to strengthen the aging pipe and help prevent further damage while a long-term replacement project continues.

Construction activity has already begun to affect traffic in nearby areas. Starting Tuesday, lane reductions were put in place on 16 Avenue near the Sarcee Trail interchange. Some westbound exits linking 16 Avenue and Sarcee Trail have also been temporarily closed, and drivers are being advised to expect detours.

The Bearspaw South Feeder Main typically provides about 60 percent of Calgary’s drinking water. With the pipeline shut down, the city is relying heavily on the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant, which is currently operating at its maximum capacity.

Because of this limited supply, city officials are asking residents to help keep daily water consumption below 500 million litres. Nicole Newton, director of Calgary’s Climate and Environment department, said staying under that level is essential to maintaining stable water service.

If the city exceeds that amount, officials warn there could be serious consequences, including low water pressure, difficulties responding to fires, boil-water advisories, or even temporary disruptions in the water supply.

This is the second time in just over two months that Calgarians have been asked to conserve water due to issues with the same pipeline. A major break in the feeder main on December 30 forced the city to introduce similar restrictions while crews rushed to repair the damaged section.

Experts say the repeated problems are a reminder of the growing challenges cities face as aging infrastructure begins to wear out. Matti Siemiatycki, director of the Infrastructure Institute at the University of Toronto, described the situation as a warning sign about the risks of outdated public systems across the country.

To help reduce water use, residents are being encouraged to take shorter showers, delay unnecessary water activities, skip occasional toilet flushes when possible, and run dishwashers or washing machines only when they are completely full.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas acknowledged that managing water use has become more challenging as the region’s population continues to grow. According to the mayor, the area now serves roughly 200,000 more residents than it did two years ago, leaving the city with a smaller margin for error when it comes to water demand.

Even so, Farkas said the goal is manageable if residents work together. The city estimates that a reduction of about three percent in daily water use will be enough to keep demand within safe limits.

Officials have also cautioned that the pipeline could still fail again even after the current reinforcement work is finished. The repairs are meant to stabilize the feeder main temporarily until a brand-new replacement pipeline is fully installed.

Work on that long-term replacement is already underway. The first stage involves installing a new steel pipe using microtunnelling technology between the Shaganappi Pump Station and 73 Street Northwest along the west side of the Bow River.

The second phase will use an open-cut construction method to extend the pipeline from 73 Street Northwest to 87 Street Northwest. That stage of construction is expected to begin in May.

City officials say the full replacement project should be completed by December.

To help residents stay informed during the repair period, Calgary has also opened a temporary resource centre at the Bowness Community Association. The centre offers information about the construction work as well as access to community support services.

It is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Despite the inconvenience, city leaders say the current restrictions are an important step toward ensuring a stronger and more reliable water system for the future. Mayor Farkas reassured residents that while the situation may be frustrating, the city is getting closer to a permanent solution.