On the evening of Wednesday, June 5, the City identified a significant water main break in the Bowness and Montgomery area. This break occurred on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a vital transmission line that delivers most of the water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant into Calgary’s water distribution network. The initial break, along with five additional "hot spots" requiring emergency repair, were completed allowing outdoor water restrictions to be relaxed. However, in early August, it was determined that several more urgent repairs are necessary. These repairs are scheduled from August 26 through the end of September.

In early June, while repairs were being made to the initial break, the City conducted a robotic scan of approximately 4.3 kilometers of the drained pipe. This scan revealed five critical areas that required immediate attention before the pipe could be refilled with water. After completing these repairs, they used another device called a PipeDiver in late June to scan the entire length of the feeder main, including an additional six kilometers that had not been scanned initially. By the end of July, they began receiving the results of the PipeDiver scan. After thorough analysis, it became clear that several other segments of the pipe require urgent repairs to prevent another unexpected break.

The Repairs

The City will be repairing 21 pipe segments along 33 Ave. and 16 Ave. N.W., which will involve 16 to 18 excavation sites. Additionally, two pipe segment repairs will occur on Parkdale Blvd. and near Crowchild Trail. Please note these plans may change as work progresses.

Of the 21 segments, 13 are located along 33 Avenue N.W., meaning residents in this area will face both city-wide water restrictions and the direct impact of construction on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. While this work is essential, I understand the concerns of Calgarians about how construction along 33 Avenue N.W. might affect their properties.

The teams are working diligently to finalize construction plans and assess the impact on properties and street access along 33 Avenue N.W. Typically, projects of this nature require three to six months of planning, but they are compressing this timeline into two weeks to address concerns as swiftly as possible.

The City is also working on plans to minimize disruptions to businesses in the Montgomery Business Improvement Area along 16th Avenue N.W. and 33 Avenue N.W. This time, they can apply lessons learned from previous construction phases to improve detours and access. Based on initial assessments, the City does not anticipate closing any driveways, and customers will still be able to access businesses in these areas. More detailed plans will be shared later this week.

Water Restrictions

During the repair period from August 26 to the end of September, the City will once again ask Calgarians to conserve water to ensure enough supply for urgent needs. This will involve a return to Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions, meaning no outdoor use of potable water. Residents are asked to take the following actions:

• Limit showers to three minutes
• Skip flushes when possible
• Only wash full loads of dishes and laundry

Businesses, which use water differently, will be asked to aim for a 25 percent reduction in daily water usage during the closure. We do not plan to close car washes, indoor pools, or other businesses during this time.

Learn more at calgary.ca/SaveWater

Why Are the Water Restrictions Necessary?

If we do not reduce our water usage and demand exceeds what the system can produce, the underground storage reservoirs could eventually run dry, leading to a drop in water pressure. Maintaining adequate water pressure is crucial for ensuring water safety. Without it, contaminants could enter the system, potentially leading to a city-wide boil water advisory.

A city-wide boil advisory could occur if multiple underground reservoirs are depleted. Even refilling them would not immediately solve the problem, as the system would need to be flushed to remove contaminants—a process requiring a large amount of treated water. At this time of year, the flow of the Elbow River naturally decreases, and we rely on water stored in the Glenmore Reservoir to help us get through winter. If a boil water advisory were to occur, it could last several months until enough water is available in the spring to safely flush and clean the system.

This scenario underscores the importance of Calgarians working together to keep water usage within the safe production limit during the repair period.

I understand the challenges these water restrictions have posed for everyone—residents, businesses, industries, and regional partners—especially given that some level of restriction has been in place since June 5. I appreciate your understanding and support as the City carries out these critical repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main.

If you’d like to read more about the water main break, this page answers many frequently asked questions.

Additionally, you may find it interesting to check out this page, with information on where our water supply comes from and how the City of Calgary protects our water supply.

Evan Spencer

Cllr. Ward 12

[email protected]