Calgary’s city council plans to review a report concerning the significant feeder main break in 2024, following another incident on the same pipe in the city’s northwest. Mayor Jeromy Farkas announced a special council meeting scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the report publicly, focusing on the causes and implications of the 2024 break. A detailed 600-page report presented to the council last December outlined the factors leading to the pipe’s deterioration and failure. However, it faced criticism for not offering clear solutions to prevent similar issues in the future.
Mayor Farkas expressed interest in swiftly implementing recommendations from the latest report to secure a replacement pipe. The recent water main break in Calgary’s Bowness area on December 30 resulted in significant flooding, ongoing water restrictions, and a boil-water advisory for several neighborhoods in the northwest, which was lifted recently.
Despite the advisory being lifted, Calgary’s water consumption remained high, surpassing the daily usage goal by 29 million liters. Mayor Farkas emphasized the need for improved communication on water conservation and the importance of valuing water as a critical resource. Proactive measures such as reducing water flow, scheduled shutdowns, and maintenance work are essential to prevent future incidents.
As Calgary’s population approaches two million, Mayor Farkas highlighted the city’s responsibility to conserve water and address infrastructure gaps. Calgary previously lost a significant amount of treated water due to leaky pipes in 2024, prompting the launch of an accelerated water loss program.
The city is currently focusing on inspecting and repairing the broken feeder main, with plans to bring another feeder main back into service to enhance water delivery. Additionally, a replacement project for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main is set to commence in the spring. Furthermore, a temporary water service interruption is scheduled in Bowness for maintenance work on the feeder main, affecting a limited number of homes and businesses.
Efforts are ongoing to address the water infrastructure challenges and ensure sustainable water management practices in Calgary.
