03/05/2026
Water restrictions start Monday, March 9
CALGARY - With one week to go until the start of water restrictions, The City of Calgary is asking Calgarians to get ready and help spread the word.
On Monday, March 9, the Bearspaw South Feeder Main (BSFM) will be shut down to allow for planned reinforcement repairs to support the stability of the current pipe. With the BSFM out of service, no outdoor water use will be permitted, and indoor water conservation will be needed to make sure that there is enough water to meet urgent needs.
Due to the poor condition of the BSFM and its importance in Calgary’s drinking water system, The City is reinforcing sections of pipe that are experiencing enhanced levels of deterioration. These reinforcements are intended to support continued operation of the BSFM until the new parallel steel pipe is completed in December. Construction on the planned reinforcements will start March 9, 2026, and is expected to last approximately four weeks.
We need your help to save water
While the feeder main is out of service, The City will be supplying most of its water to Calgary and neighbours in Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation from only one treatment plant. This means that we cannot get as much water as normal from our plants to your taps.
We need to keep our water use below 500 million litres per day to stay out of the risky red zone. If we use more water than our plant can supply, our water system will be at increased risk. This could mean
• That the water system can’t provide adequate water to fight fires.
• Low water pressure in the system can lead to a city-wide boil water advisory.
• If there is a major plant or water system failure, there could be no water available.
The good news is, if we work together, meeting this target is in our reach. We’re asking everyone to set a goal of saving at least 25 litres of water per day.
• Every minute counts - Keep showers to three minutes or less.
• Every flush counts - Flush toilets only when needed.
• Every load counts - Only run dishwashers and washing machines when there is a full load.
• Find and fix leaks in your home.
• No outdoor watering is allowed during this time.
Help spread the word
This week you’ll start to see signs, ads and receive postcards in your mailbox to raise awareness about the water restrictions. At a time when people get their information from so many different sources, we need to get the word out in as many places as possible.
You can help here too. Talk to your neighbours, help spread the word to your social networks and stay connected to our updates on the web, in the news and on social media to get the latest information.
The City of Calgary is getting ready
The City is taking steps to reduce water use during the reinforcement work. We will only wash City vehicles when needed for health and safety, we are finding and fixing leaks and planning other water saving measures at our recreation facilities, avoiding outdoor water use except when needed for health and safety, and we are asking employees to be mindful of their water use, including work from home if their jobs allow, to reduce the need for flushes during the work day.
Teams have been busy reaching out directly to businesses and organizations to encourage them to reduce water use. We are also working directly with the municipalities of Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation, who share our water supply.
Construction preparation underway
This week crews will begin mobilizing to the areas where planned reinforcements will take place.
We will begin removing sections of the concrete medians that divide westbound and eastbound 16 Avenue to prepare for traffic detours.
The westbound exit from 16th Avenue N.W. onto Sarcee Trail will remain closed.
You will see construction site trailers setting up in the area.
More information on construction and impacts will continue to be shared as we advance towards this critical work.
Together we can
The actions you take make a big difference. When we all do our part, together we will save millions of litres of water each day. That helps our treatment and distribution system keep up and continue providing the water you count on. Please do your part. Every drop counts.
To stay updated on how we are doing and to find out more ways to save water, visit calgary.ca/savewater.
