Calgary signals end to water restrictions as feeder main repairs completed

Officials in Calgary say the city is on track to lift temporary water restrictions Thursday following the completion of repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which ruptured in December.

According to a City of Calgary update, pumps connected to the feeder main have been turned on and the system is now operational. Restrictions remain in place for now while crews monitor the pipe and overall water system to confirm stability.

The city said if monitoring proceeds as expected, residents will no longer be asked to limit household water use, including shortening showers and reducing laundry, dishwashing and toilet flushing.

The restrictions were introduced last month to allow for repairs to the feeder main, which carries about 60 per cent of Calgary’s treated water supply. City officials have previously identified the line as critical infrastructure for maintaining consistent water distribution.

This marks the third instance of voluntary water restrictions in Calgary over the past two years. Mayor Jeromy Farkas has said a replacement line for the feeder main is expected to be ready by the end of the year, a project that falls under the city’s infrastructure renewal planning.