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It’s time for Calgarians to start planning how they will conserve water, once again.
That’s the message from city officials as they prepare to shut down the Bearspaw south feeder main in exactly one week — on March 9, 2026. That’s also when the newest round of month-long Stage 4 water restrictions will begin.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas calls the shutdown preventative, deliberate and necessary.
It will allow crews to reinforce nine particularly deteriorated segments of the feeder main with concrete, to ensure its stability until the pipe is fully replaced. The replacement is on track to be completed by the end of the year.
Six of the segments set to be reinforced are along 16th Avenue N.W. by Sarcee Trail. The other three are in the community of Point McKay.
(City of Calgary)
Farkas is asking Calgarians to spread the word about upcoming water restrictions.
“One of the biggest challenges during the previous emergency was awareness. Many Calgarians didn’t realize we were under Stage 4 restrictions,” said Farkas.
“This time, we’re asking you not only to conserve, but to communicate. So please talk to your family, talk to your neighbours, share updates with your friends.”
The water restrictions will also affect residents in Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas asks residents in Calgary and surrounding communities to help spread the word that water restrictions will return for a month, starting on March 9. (Mike Symington/CBC)
Over the next week, construction crews will begin setting up in areas where the feeder main will be reinforced. They’ll start removing the concrete medians that divide westbound and eastbound 16th Avenue N.W., and the westbound exit from 16th Avenue will remain closed.
Target increasing to 500 million litres per day
A big difference with the upcoming water restrictions is the city’s water usage target.
The water usage threshold will be 500 million litres per day — up from the previous 485 million litres daily.
“Over the last week, our collective water use varied between 504 to 515 million litres a day, so our goal of 500 litres is easily in reach. We just need to reduce our water use by at least three per cent,” said Michael Thompson, the city’s general manager of infrastructure.
During the upcoming shutdown, the Calgary region’s water supply will rely primarily on the smaller Glenmore water treatment plant.
Thompson said the city is able to increase the water use threshold because this shutdown is scheduled, meaning crews have been focused on getting the Glenmore treatment plant “ready to run hard for the next month.”
He is asking Calgary-area residents to reduce water use by limiting flushes, only running washing machines and dishwashers when loads are full, and checking for leaks in their homes.
Starting March 9, all outdoor water use is prohibited.
The shutdown is expected to run until April 9.
Another Bearspaw shutdown — which officials say should be the last — is scheduled for the fall.