(City of Calgary)

By Dayne Patterson, The Canadian Press

Municipal Infrastructure

Calgary mayor says risk of more water main breaks ‘new reality’ until line replaced

Jan 5, 2026 | 3:01 PM

The City of Calgary expects to fix a broken water main by early next week, but the mayor says the pipe is fatally flawed and citizens should prepare for future ruptures until it’s fully replaced.

Jeromy Farkas says while the Bearspaw South Feeder Main is being fixed, there’s no guarantee it won’t fail again.

Farkas calls it Calgary’s “new reality” until the line is replaced, which he says is being done as quickly as possible.

He says it’s currently unclear whether that means Calgarians will be asked to keep taking shorter showers and flushing their toilets less in the long-term.

The line, which carries 60 per cent of the city’s treatable water, failed last week for the second time in less than two years, forcing the city to ask residents to reduce their water usage.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

City officials say Calgarians are still using too much water, putting pressure on reserves and risking resources for firefighting.

Officials say the pipe will be shut down again at various times this year for more inspection and repair work.

The last rupture of the feeder main in the summer of 2024 prompted months of water restrictions, advisories and a state of emergency.

The line was slated to be replaced by 2028, but officials are trying to move up that date.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2026.

(The Canadian Press)