Calgary and some surrounding communities, including Airdrie, will face Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions and indoor water conservation measures starting Nov. 4 as crews connect the new Bearspaw South Feeder Main to the existing water system.

The restrictions are expected to last approximately four weeks while the existing feeder main is temporarily shut down for the connection work, reducing the amount of water available for distribution across the city to 500 million litres per day.

The City of Calgary says the work marks one of the final steps in installing the new feeder main, which is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

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Outdoor water use prohibited

During the restriction period, all outdoor water use will be prohibited. The city is asking residents in Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation to reduce indoor water consumption to help ensure there is enough water available for everyone, including for firefighting.

Residents are being asked to:


Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full.
Flush toilets only when necessary.
Take shorter showers, aiming for three minutes.

Michael Thompson, the City of Calgary’s chief operating officer of water, says the community’s efforts will be important during the connection work.

“We know Calgarians have already done a tremendous job reducing water use when needed,” Thompson says. “The actions people take during this period will help us complete this work safely and successfully while protecting water services across the city.”

Final steps for new feeder main

The connection work requires the existing Bearspaw South Feeder Main to be temporarily shut down, limiting the amount of water that can be distributed throughout the system.

Thompson says most of the specialized materials needed to complete the project are now in Calgary, with the remaining materials expected to arrive on schedule.

Once the new pipe is connected, crews will begin commissioning work, including disinfecting the line, filling it with water and completing required water quality testing. The process is expected to take two to three weeks.

The city says the project remains on track for the new feeder main to be fully operational by the end of 2026.

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