Crews ‘slowly filling’ repaired pipe as water consumption remains ‘a strain’ on system: Farkas

Crews work on repairing the water main break along 16 Ave. N.W., in Calgary, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in this handout photo provided the City of Calgary. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - City of Calgary (Mandatory Credit)

City crews have begun slowly filling the repaired Bearspaw South feeder main as Calgary water consumption continued to be unsustainable on Friday, Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said Saturday on social media.

Friday’s water consumption was 504 million litres (ML), which is 19 million litres above the city’s daily goal of 485 ML.

While Friday’s numbers showed a slight reduction of four million litres from Thursday, it was the sixth consecutive day water usage has been in the critical zone, which means that existing water infrastructure at the Glenmore water treatment plant has been working non-stop to fulfill the city’s needs.

“The entire water system is connected and under stress,” said Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Susan Henry. “Using more precious water from the Glenmore Reservoir could impact our ability to respond to emergencies. The fact is Calgary has grown, and more people means more water use, so no matter what community you live in, please make saving water a priority.”

Farkas echoed those sentiments Saturday on social media.

“We are still experiencing a strain on our distribution system, limiting our ability to produce treated water, refill underground reservoirs overnight and move water to everyone.

“We continue to ask Calgarians and businesses to take action to reduce their water consumption.”

The city is asking everyone who relies on the city’s water system to try to save 25 to 30 litres per person per day, including residents of communities such as Strathmore, Tsuut’ina Nation, Airdrie and Chestermere.

Construction update

Farkas said the process of returning the Bearspaw South feeder main to service is underway.

“Crews have begun slowly filling the repaired pipe with water and are in the process of restoring service which is a multi-day process involving filling the pipe, testing the water and making sure the system is stable,” he posted.

He said that, as of Saturday morning, the first phase of filling the pipe was approximately 75 per cent complete.

At Friday’s update, the city said the pipe, which carries approximately 60 per cent of the water for the city of 1.6 million, needs to be slowly filled back up and the water has to be tested for quality.

“There is no guarantee against another break once the pipe is returned to service,” the city said, adding that work began elsewhere in the city to protect certain areas from flooding should it break again.

“Crews are clearing catch basins, opening river outflows and adjusting manhole covers to improve drainage in multiple areas.”

The city also said two sections of a flood berm along the Bow River near where the water main ruptured are being removed in the event of another break, as it would allow water to flood into the river.

The city is also installing temporary barriers along the Bow River pathway near Parkdale Boulevard N.W. between 33rd and 30th Street N.W. to protect the community. Pathway detours will be in place.

The city is also restoring service to the water main at Memorial Drive and 52 Street N.E. It’s a separate project that has been underway since the fall. Michael Thompson, the city’s general manager of infrastructure, said the pipe was filled with highly-chlorinated water and flushed before bringing it back into service.

A report issued this week on the previous rupture in 2024 blamed decades of underinvestment, as well as deferred inspection and maintenance projects.

Road closures

A single eastbound lane on 16 Ave. N.W. is open, as well as access to 16 Ave. from Sarcee Trail.

Work to repair the road is underway, with paving scheduled for the weekend.

Westbound lanes on 16 Ave. remain closed.

With files from The Canadian Press and CTV’s Michael Franklin and Mark Villani