Calgary under Stage 4 water restrictions as feeder main connection begins

Calgary is under city-wide Stage 4 water restrictions as crews begin connecting the new Bearspaw South Feeder Main to the City water system, the City of Calgary said in a notice published Nov. 4. The restrictions are expected to last approximately four weeks.¹

The connection is one of the final steps before the new pipe is complete. Once it is connected, the City said it will need to fill, flush and conduct water quality testing before the pipe is put into service in December.¹

To make the connection safely, the existing feeder main must be temporarily shut down, which significantly reduces the amount of water that can be distributed across Calgary and the region. During that time, the City will rely primarily on the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant to supply water to everyone.¹

The City said water demand needs to stay below 500 million litres per day to keep enough water for fighting fires and to keep the system working well. Staying at or below that target will help keep Calgary out of what the City calls the "risky red zone," where demand could affect the water service Calgary and the region count on.¹

We’re in the home stretch of installing and connecting this pipe, and we’re confident Calgarians and the region will step up and reduce their water use again¹Michael Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of The City of Calgary Water Utility

Thompson said every water-saving action adds up to big savings and helps ensure the water system can continue providing essential services.¹

The restrictions apply to all residents and businesses. Calgarians, along with neighbours in Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut'ina Nation, are asked not to use water outdoors, including no outdoor flooding of skating rinks. The City also asks residents to run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, flush toilets only when needed and take shorter showers, aiming for three minutes or less.¹

The City said it will provide daily updates on water demand and how it is tracking against the 500 million litre target. Water saving tips and the latest information are available at calgary.ca/savewater.¹