CALGARY — The City of Calgary has officially implemented a new round of mandatory water restrictions starting Monday, March 9, 2026, as crews begin a month-long project to reinforce the city’s primary water artery. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which supplies approximately 60% of the city’s treated water, has been taken out of service to allow for urgent stabilization work on several vulnerable segments.
City officials have asked residents to significantly reduce their indoor water consumption by at least 25 liters per day to ensure the system remains stable while the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant carries the full load. Recommended actions include limiting showers to three minutes or less, skipping unnecessary toilet flushes, and only running dishwashers and laundry machines with full loads. All outdoor water use is currently prohibited.
The repair work targets nine specific sections of the pipe that have shown “enhanced levels of deterioration,” particularly along 16 Avenue N.W. near Sarcee Trail. This latest intervention follows a major rupture in December that flooded local roadways and highlighted the critical need for a permanent solution. While these reinforcements are temporary measures to prevent another catastrophic failure, the city is simultaneously working on a full replacement pipeline, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas, who assumed office in late 2025, is scheduled to meet with residents in the most impacted neighborhoods today at a local community resource center. Addressing the recurring nature of the crisis—this being the third major restriction in two years—the Mayor emphasized that while the situation is frustrating, these repairs are vital for the city’s long-term water security. “We are moving fast to stabilize the current pipe while building a new one to ensure this is the last year Calgarians have to face these kinds of limits,” Farkas stated.
