Calgary is preparing for temporary water restrictions this fall as major work continues on its water system, which also supplies Airdrie.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas said outdoor water restrictions may be needed for less than a week in September, followed by about four weeks of Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions and indoor water conservation in October.
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The possible September restrictions would coincide with a temporary shutdown of the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant for planned electrical work.
We’re in the final stretch! The Bearspaw pipe replacement is on track to be completed in a single year. That’s record speed for a project of this scale. Some temporary water restrictions are coming this fall as crews finish the job. pic.twitter.com/PkWIBfa54W
— Jeromy (Pathfinder) Farkas (@JeromyYYC) August 20, 2026
The October measures are expected while crews make the final tie-in connection for the replacement Bearspaw South Feeder Main.
Airdrie purchases its water from Calgary. Calgary treats the water before it travels through supply mains to Airdrie reservoirs and enters the city’s distribution system.
Possible restrictions in September
In a video posted with an Aug. 20 update on X, Farkas said Calgary’s water supply is strong and the possible September restrictions would not be the result of a shortage.
“It’s not because Calgary is running short of water,” he said.
The Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant will need to be temporarily shut down to complete electrical work for a new pumping station.
The work is part of the North Calgary Water Servicing Project.
Farkas said it includes 22 kilometres of new water pipe and 10 supporting facilities intended to serve Calgary’s growth and provide more backup when parts of the system are unavailable.
Whether restrictions are needed in September will depend on the weather and how much water Calgarians are using at the time.
Farkas said some outdoor water use is expected to remain permitted if restrictions are required.
He said reservoir and river levels were normal for August and water use remained within the normal seasonal range at the time of the update.
Four weeks of restrictions expected in October
Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions and indoor water conservation are expected for about four weeks in October while crews complete the final tie-in connection for the replacement Bearspaw South Feeder Main.
The feeder main carries about 60 per cent of Calgary’s daily water supply, according to Farkas.
The existing pipe remains stable but is operating at a lower capacity.
Parts of it were strengthened this spring, but Farkas said the risk of another break remains until the replacement line is connected.
“The existing pipe is terminally ill, and it’s just a matter of time before it goes,” he said.
Bearspaw replacement work continues
In his Aug. 20 post on X, Farkas said the Bearspaw pipe replacement was in its final stretch and remained on track to be completed within a single year.
Calgary is installing a parallel steel pipe that will eventually take over service from the existing feeder main.
Stage A runs from the Shaganappi Pump Station to 73 Street N.W., west of the Bow River. Much of the work is being done through microtunnelling because the route crosses 16 Avenue, the Bow River and the CPKC rail line.
As of Calgary’s July 22 project update, more than 1,100 metres of steel feeder main had been installed inside the concrete carrier pipe across Stage A.
Stage B extends from 73 Street N.W. to 89 Street N.W., where the new feeder main will connect with the existing steel pipe leading to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant.
Stage B is being installed using an open-cut approach along 34 Avenue N.W. in Bowness.
Calgary’s project page says the replacement pipe is anticipated to be completed in December 2026.
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