Water Restrictions Lifted - Next Steps for Calgary

Today we are happy to share that with water flowing through the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and the system performing well, all water restrictions are lifted, effective immediately. This means normal water use can resume indoors and outdoors.

Over the past three and a half weeks, Calgarians and our regional neighbours in Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation took meaningful actions to reduce their daily water use. This helped us operate the Glenmore water treatment plant at increased capacity and keep our underground storage tanks full, so we had enough water available to respond to emergencies like additional water main breaks and fires.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our community and support our crews as they completed this critical work. We couldn’t have done this without you!

Where we are now

Since we shut down the Bearspaw South Feeder Main on March 9, our crews have completed major work to the pipe, this included:

• Reinforcing the nine highest risk segments.

• Concrete work, backfilling and paving to restore work areas.

• Replacing valves that were not fully operational.

• Carefully refilling, testing and returning the pipe to service in a controlled way.

Today, our system can once again move water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to your taps.

We expect to remove traffic detours along 16 Avenue N.W. and Sarcee Trail N.W. by the weekend.

City recreation facilities are returning to normal operations. Hot tubs and kiddie pools are being refilled and will reopen as soon as they’re ready and safe to use.  

Looking ahead

We have reached a major milestone, but the pipe is still in poor condition and at risk of another issue or break until the new pipe is operational in December. We are not planning to reintroduce water restrictions until fall, when we’ll shut this pipe down again to connect the new pipe. But if another issue happens before then, we may need to bring back water restrictions sooner.

This experience has shown us that everyday water-wise habits make a real difference and can ever lower your water bill. Even without restrictions, consider continuing habits like running full loads of laundry and dishes and finding and fixing leaks.

As we head into spring and summer, you can also be mindful of your outdoor water use. Consider purchasing a rain barrel to collect rainwater for your yard and garden as an alternative to using treated drinking water. The City’s rain barrel rebate program offers $50 back on eligible purchases. Details are available at calgary.ca/rainbarrel.

For more ways to save water at home or in business, visit calgary.ca/savewater.

Thank you