Calgary officials are renewing urgent calls for water conservation after Wednesday’s usage once again exceeded the sustainable threshold, placing the city in what officials describe as the “red zone.”
At a Thursday afternoon update, Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Susan Henry said residents used 507 million litres of water and warned that the city’s water system remains under significant strain since the Bearspaw South Feeder Main ruptured last week.
“The longer we are in the red, the worse it gets. That’s why it’s called unsustainable,” Henry said.
She noted that the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant, the smaller of the city’s two facilities, is currently producing three times its usual output. At the same time, the Glenmore Reservoir is dropping faster than it can refill.
Henry said Calgary can meet its target of 485 million litres per day if every resident saves roughly 30 litres daily. Holding up a 20‑litre plastic jug at the news conference, she urged Calgarians to visualize the amount needed.
“A jug and a half, that’s what each person needs to save to keep the water supply stable,” she said.
She pointed to simple steps that add up quickly.
“Just flushing the toilet three fewer times in a day will save 30 litres right there,” she said. “Every minute you save in the shower uses eight litres of water, and running your dishwashers and washing machines only when full will save water.”
On Wednesday, the City of Calgary issued a region‑wide advisory through Alberta’s emergency alert system, warning that water supply levels remain “critical.” The alert applies to all communities served by Calgary’s water network, including Airdrie, Strathmore, Chestermere, and the Tsuut’ina Nation.
Stage 4 water restrictions, the highest level, remain in place. These rules will continue until the damaged Bearspaw South Feeder Main is fully repaired and the system stabilized, according to the city.
Meanwhile, some residents in Bowness are once again without running water. About 30 homes and one business are expected to have service restored on Thursday, according to Mayor Jeromy Farkas.
Repair work progressing, risks remain
Infrastructure general manager Michael Thompson said repair crews have removed the damaged section of pipe, installed the replacement, and completed welding.
“The backfilling of soil around and above the pipe started last night,” Thompson said. “Once completed, crews will start repairing the road above the pipe.”
“Completing the repair and fixing the road are very important activities, but not the end. We need you to continue to conserve water until we restore water service.”
Once the pipe is buried, crews will begin refilling the feeder main, a process that takes about 48 hours, followed by water quality testing and system stabilization.
Once the pipe begins refilling and pressure increases, there is a risk of additional breaks. The city says crews will monitor the system closely using pressure sensors and other tools.
More details on when to expect a relaxation of water restrictions will be shared once each stage is complete.
Preparing for potential future breaks
As a precaution, crews are beginning temporary community-protection work along the Bow River to help redirect water in the event of another rupture.
The work includes removing sections of the flood barrier along Montgomery Blvd NW, installing temporary barriers near Parkdale Blvd NW, clearing catch basins, opening outflows to the river, and changing manhole covers in the area that allow water to drain as quickly as possible.
The mitigation plan also includes planning that will allow rapid deployment of pumps to clear water from low-lying areas.
WATCH: Calgary crews taking flood mitigation steps as water main repair work continues
Earlier this week, Farkas warned that the aging feedermain remains vulnerable and that restrictions could return with little notice if another break happens.
City council is also responding to an independent review of Calgary’s water system released on Wednesday. Councillors voted unanimously to direct administration to develop an implementation plan based on the review’s recommendations.
Farkas has pledged to “spare no expense” to prevent another major failure.