After a major rupture in Calgary’s main water line in the summer of 2024, city officials knew another failure could happen. Following this week’s incident, they now believe future breaks are likely rather than just a risk. CTV
The City of Calgary continues to search for answers after a major water feeder main failed again this week in the city’s northwest. The Bearspaw South feeder main broke on Tuesday near the Sarcee Trail and 16 Avenue N.W. interchange, just blocks from a similar failure in the summer of 2024.
City officials admitted they still do not know what caused the latest break. However, they said the growing pattern shows the pipe has reached the end of its lifespan.
“It has reached the end of its reliable life,” Mayor Jeromy Farkas said Thursday.
“We can keep patching (the main), and we can keep reacting (to it), but it will continue to fail until there is an alternative built.”
Known Weaknesses, Sudden Failure
After the 2024 break, the city inspected the full length of the pipe. Infrastructure services manager Michael Thompson said crews found 239 worn pipe sections out of about 2,000, along with 23 sections needing urgent repairs.
“The feeder main still contains segments with minor to moderate structural deterioration today,” Thompson said.
“We completed the 23 urgent repairs in 2024.”
The city expected the pipe to continue operating while plans for a replacement moved forward. Crews monitored the line closely, but Thompson said nothing unusual appeared before the break.
“We don’t know why the pipe failed,” he said.
Major Projects Already Underway
City officials said several large projects are moving ahead to reduce the risk of future failures. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main Improvement Project will add a second pipe alongside the existing one. Design work finished in 2025, and construction will begin early this year.
“We’re building a new water feeder main almost six kilometres in length,” Thompson said. The route will cross the Bow River, rail lines, roads, and pass near hundreds of homes and businesses.
He added the city will push to speed up construction even more after this week’s events.
Two other projects also aim to strengthen Calgary’s water system. A 22-kilometre feeder main in north Calgary began construction in 2025, while a 25-kilometre line planned for the south remains in early planning.
Flooding and Restrictions
Tuesday’s break caused water to surge onto roads, nearly reaching the centre median. Water flowed into nearby pathways and parkland, trapping vehicles and forcing emergency crews to rescue more than a dozen people. No injuries were reported.
A boil water advisory remains in place for parts of Montgomery, Parkdale, Point McKay, and West Hillhurst. Water use restrictions continue across the city.
Treated water storage dropped from about 600 million litres to 459 million litres after the break. By Thursday afternoon, levels rose to 468 million litres. City staff said the system needs at least 485 million litres to stabilize.
“If each person can save 10 to 30 litres per day, which isn’t a ton of water, it becomes a ton of water (collectively),” said Chris Huston, drinking water distribution manager.
Emergency officials urged residents to limit showers, run full laundry and dishwasher loads only when needed, and cut back on toilet flushing.
Mayor Visits Site
Mayor Farkas visited the break site Thursday morning and praised city crews working in difficult conditions.
“They’re working incredibly long hours in the cold (and) under pressure,” he said.
“This is heavy, technical, high-risk work.”
He also spoke with residents and business owners affected by flooding and road closures. The mayor encouraged Calgarians to continue supporting local shops, especially in Montgomery and Bowness.
“They’re still open,” he said.
“Transportation and access are still possible into those areas.”
City officials expect repairs to take about two weeks, with water restrictions remaining in place throughout that time.
