Now Complete: Bearspaw South Feeder Main Construction Updates
- Apr 2
- 7 min read
Update: April 2, 2026
Water restrictions lifted as Bearspaw South Feeder Main returns to service
We are happy to share that with water flowing through the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and the system performing well, all water restrictions are now lifted, effective immediately. This means normal water use can resume indoors and outdoors.
Over the past three and a half weeks, Calgarians and our regional neighbours in Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation took meaningful actions to reduce their daily water use. This helped us operate the Glenmore water treatment plant at increased capacity and keep our underground storage tanks full, so we had enough water available to respond to emergencies like additional water main breaks and fires.
Thank you for doing your part to protect our community and support our crews as they completed this critical work. We couldn’t have done this without you!
Where we are now
Since we shut down the Bearspaw South Feeder Main on March 9, our crews have completed major work to the pipe, this included:
Reinforcing the nine highest risk segments.
Concrete work, backfilling and paving to restore work areas.
Replacing valves that were not fully operational.
Carefully refilling, testing and returning the pipe to service in a controlled way.
Today, our system can once again move water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to your taps. We expect to remove traffic detours along 16 Avenue N.W. and Sarcee Trail N.W. by the weekend.
City recreation facilities are returning to normal operations. Hot tubs and kiddie pools are being refilled and will reopen as soon as they’re ready and safe to use.
Looking ahead
We have reached a major milestone, but the pipe is still in poor condition and at risk of another issue or break until the new pipe is operational in December. We are not planning to reintroduce water restrictions until fall, when we’ll shut this pipe down again to connect the new pipe. But if another issue happens before then, we may need to bring back water restrictions sooner.
This experience has shown us that everyday water-wise habits make a real difference and can ever lower your water bill. Even without restrictions, consider continuing habits like running full loads of laundry and dishes and finding and fixing leaks.
As we head into spring and summer, you can also be mindful of your outdoor water use. Consider purchasing a rain barrel to collect rainwater for your yard and garden as an alternative to using treated drinking water. The City’s rain barrel rebate program offers $50 back on eligible purchases. Details are available at calgary.ca/rainbarrel.
For more ways to save water at home or in business, visit calgary.ca/savewater.
Stay informed
We encourage Calgarians to stay informed and prepared by watching local news, following The City’s social media channels, downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert app and visiting calgary.ca for timely updates.
Update: March 30, 2026
Crews have completed the refilling of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main pipe and water sampling and testing are now underway to confirm water meets or exceeds all regulatory health standards. Provided test results confirm the water is safe, pumps at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant are planned to restart Tuesday morning. Residents may notice temporarily cloudy water once pumps are running - this is expected and the water remains safe to drink. If all proceeds as planned, water restrictions could be lifted as early as Thursday, April 2.
It is important to note that the feeder main remains in poor condition and at risk of another break, particularly during pump restarts and increased water flow. Safety measures are in place, including drainage improvements, rapid-response equipment, and coordination with first responders.
A pipe diver inspection of the feeder main is scheduled for April 9 - 11. No additional water restrictions are anticipated until fall, when further shutdown work will be required to connect the new pipe to the water system.
Water use continues to remain in the green zone. Thank you to all Calgarians for your ongoing conservation efforts. For the latest updates, visit calgary.ca/savewater.
Update: March 23, 2026
Reinforcement work on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main is now entering its third week, with approximately two weeks of work remaining. Concrete pours are complete across all nine pipe segments, with curing and backfilling underway. The full pipeline cannot be returned to service until all work is finished.
A valve repair at the Shaganappi Pump Station has been completed, and that section is being reconnected to the water system. Residents in north Calgary may temporarily notice cloudy water, which is safe to drink.
Lane closures remain in place along 16th Avenue NW. Additional closures that had been scheduled for this week have been postponed to next week. We will provide more details closer to the start. Thank you for your patience. Please plan ahead, follow posted signage and give crews space to work safely as we complete this work.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to Calgarians and neighbouring communities, including Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore, and Tsuut'ina Nation. The continued collective water-saving efforts have been invaluable in keeping our water system running safely throughout this work.
For more information visit calgary.ca/wateroutages or contact 311.
Update: March 16, 2026
Effective immediately, the Boil Water Advisory for the community of Spruce Cliff and affected areas of Wildwood and Rosscarrock has been lifted.
The City of Calgary labs, in collaboration with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas), have tested and confirmed that the water in these communities meet water-quality guidelines and standards and is safe for consuming.
To flush your household or business water system:
Turn the bathtub tap on cold for ten minutes. Then turn all other faucets on cold for five minutes.
For businesses without a bathtub or shower, turn on all your faucets on cold for ten minutes.
The City of Calgary thanks affected residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation during this time and recognizes the ongoing effort by all Calgarians to save water while reinforcement work continues on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main.
For more information visit calgary.ca/wateroutages or contact 311.
Update: March 14, 2026
Thank you Calgary! We've managed to stay in the green zone every day since restrictions started - let's keep it going! Yesterday's water demand came in at 488 million litres, below the 500 million litre green zone threshold. That's every single day since restrictions began. Thank you for all your effort!
Construction & What's Ahead
Work remains on schedule. Excavation is active across all sites, trench boxes are in place, and rebar installation has begun. Draining of the final pipe section wraps up this weekend. Note: warmer temperatures next week may increase outdoor water use — Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions stay in effect, and conservation will be especially important. Expect ongoing traffic delays near worksites.
Boil water advisory - Rosscarrock, Spruce Cliff & Wildwood
Alberta Health Services has issued a boil water advisory following a leak on a private service line. Affected customers have been notified directly. This is unrelated to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main work.
Updates will continue to be posted at calgary.ca/wateroutages.
Update: March 11, 2026
Water use has stayed in the “green zone” for the second day in a row, as work to reinforce segments of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main continues.
People in Calgary and surrounding areas reduced their water use again on Tuesday, successfully keeping water demand below 500 million litres.
Yesterday’s water use was 494 million litres, which means that for a second day in a row, we are in the green zone. Thank you to everyone taking everyday actions to save water. It is making a meaningful difference while we complete this critical work.
Thank you to everyone taking everyday actions to save water. It is making a meaningful difference while we complete this critical work. Please keep doing your part and help us spread the word about the steps you are taking to save water.
These small, high-impact actions help keep our water system stable while the feeder main is out of service.
Stay Informed
For the latest detailed FAQs and construction updates, please visit: calgary.ca/savewater.
The City of Calgary is preparing to undertake urgent reinforcement work of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main to maintain the health and stability of Calgary’s water system.
Starting March 9, The City will begin reinforcing sections of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main to help stabilize the most vulnerable areas and reduce the chances of another break until the new steel pipe is ready in December. This work will take approximately four weeks.
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.
Construction & Traffic Updates
While repair work is underway, the following road closures and detours remain in effect:
Lane reductions are in place on 16 Avenue N.W. near the Sarcee Trail interchange, with one lane open in each direction.
The exit ramp from 16 Avenue N.W. onto Sarcee Trail and the exit off Sarcee Trail onto westbound 16 Avenue N.W. are both closed.
16 Avenue westbound remains open but changed lane patterns will cause traffic to move slowly.
Drivers heading west on 16 Avenue N.W. are encouraged to plan ahead.
We remind everyone to respect work crews by following posted signage and staying out of construction areas. On affected pathways, please use the ramps provided and dismount your bike. These active worksites are restricted to City crews and contractors. Thank you for helping our crews work safely and efficiently while they complete this important work.
Stay Informed
For the latest detailed FAQs and construction updates, please visit: calgary.ca/savewater.
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