Update: Bearspaw South Feeder Main - Water Restrictions Begin March 9

Water restrictions in place beginning March 9

The City of Calgary is moving forward with planned reinforcement repairs to support the stability of the current Bearspaw South Feeder Main (BSFM). This work will target up to nine segments of the existing pipe to support operations and stability.

Due to the critical condition of the BSFM and its importance in Calgary’s drinking water system, the City is reinforcing sections of pipe that are experiencing enhanced levels of deterioration. These reinforcements are intended to support continued operation of the BSFM until the new parallel steel pipe is completed and can take over service from the current line.

Construction on the planned reinforcements is scheduled to begin March 9, 2026, and is expected to last approximately four weeks. Confirmed reinforcement work will take place for six segments of pipe along 16 Avenue N.W., near Sarcee Trail.

Teams are exploring three potential reinforcements at Point McKay Park, further coordination is required due to their proximity with work taking place for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main replacement. Confirmation will be provided as soon as it is available.

Water restrictions will be in place beginning March 9

The feeder main will be taken out of service to complete construction. During this time, it’s critical that all Calgarians and the surrounding regions use less water. Outdoor water restrictions and indoor water conservation will be in effect starting March 9. No outdoor water use will be permitted during this time.

We’re asking all Calgarians to save 25-30 litres of water per day indoors by taking the following actions:

• Keep showers short, three minutes or less.

• Flush toilets only when necessary.

• Only run dishwashers and washing machines when there is a full load.

The spring feeder main shutdown window also allows additional pieces of work to proceed:

• Replacement of existing valves on the feeder main near the Shaganappi Pump Station which will support system reliability in the event of a future failure.

• Inspection of the steel pipe connection to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant, supporting ongoing condition assessment.

• Replacement of valves at 33rd Ave. and 89 St., which help control how water moves between the feeder main and the smaller distribution system.

Repairs to use concrete reinforcement technique

We will repair the identified pipe segments using a concrete reinforcement technique. This approach involves exposing the pipe through excavation, constructing an exterior reinforcing steel cage, pouring concrete around the existing pipe, and backfilling. The construction method is subject to change once the pipe is exposed.

Risk of another break remains

The City cannot guarantee that the pipe will not break unexpectedly again before or after the reinforcement work takes place. If another break occurs before the planned reinforcements, crews will move immediately to complete portions of the reinforcement work at the same time as the break repair. Preparations are underway to allow crews to mobilize as quickly as possible if this occurs.

We understand that these reinforcements will have impacts on the community. We are working with those directly impacted and more information on construction will continued to be shared with the area.

Regular updates will be available at calgary.ca/bsfmreinforcements