Calgarians are currently facing a significant challenge with water conservation as the city’s latest figures reveal usage has surged to 501 million litres in a single day. This amount exceeds the city’s recommended sustainable limit of 500 million litres, especially critical while the Bearspaw South Feeder Main undergoes extensive repairs. City officials have labelled any daily consumption above this threshold as entering “the risky red zone,” urging residents to be more mindful of their water use during this critical period.
Water Supply Challenges
The situation arises after a brief respite where water consumption dipped below the city’s advised limit for two consecutive days. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which typically accounts for 60 per cent of Calgary’s water supply, has been offline since March 9 due to necessary repairs following two significant failures within the past two years. During this downtime, the city has shifted to relying on the smaller Glenmore water treatment facility, which also services neighbouring communities, including Airdrie, Chestermere, and the Tsuut’ina Nation.
City officials are currently addressing weakened sections of the feeder main while simultaneously planning a full replacement with a new steel pipe, expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
City Officials Urge Conservation
In response to the increased water consumption, Michael Thompson, Calgary’s general manager of infrastructure services, has reiterated the importance of conservation efforts. During a recent update on the repairs, he stated, “We aim to save 25 litres of water per person each day.” He highlighted simple strategies such as reducing the use of dishwashers and washing machines, which can consume substantial amounts of water per cycle. Even cutting back on one cycle could help meet or exceed the daily conservation target.
Thompson noted that significant progress has been made in reinforcing the feeder main, with rebar work completed and concrete pours currently underway. He confirmed that valve replacement at the Shaganappi pump station would be finalised over the weekend and mentioned that refilling one section of the feeder main would consume approximately 5 million litres of water.
Upcoming Construction and Traffic Impacts
Looking ahead, Thompson announced that construction would commence on March 24 for the final microtunneling shaft at 16th Avenue and 44th Street. This work zone will be established in the parking lot on the south side of 16th Avenue and is expected to remain in place until December, with associated traffic disruptions likely to occur as a result of this necessary infrastructure work.
The ongoing reinforcement efforts and the imposition of water usage restrictions are anticipated to last for another two weeks before the feeder main can resume normal operations. Meanwhile, the broader project to replace the entire Bearspaw South Feeder Main is also progressing, with completion projected for December.
Why it Matters
The current water usage crisis highlights the delicate balance between urban infrastructure demands and environmental sustainability. As Calgary grapples with the dual challenges of maintaining a reliable water supply and managing conservation efforts, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for proactive resource management and community cooperation. With continued population growth and infrastructure strain, the stakes are high—not just for Calgary’s immediate water needs but for ensuring the long-term sustainability of its water resources.
