Calgary is facing a critical water shortage following a “catastrophic” rupture of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main on December 30. City officials have moved the city to Stage 4 Water Restrictions, warning that if consumption does not drop immediately, the city could run out of water for essential services like hospitals and firefighting.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The “Why”: A System Under Strain
The break occurred on 16 Avenue NW—the same critical artery that failed in 2024. This pipe is responsible for moving 60% of the city’s water. Because the “backup” pipes cannot handle the full load of the city, Calgary is currently using water faster than the reservoirs can refill.
The Ask: How You Can Help
The City of Calgary is asking every resident to reduce their indoor water use by at least 25%. Officials suggest the following “emergency” habits:
- The 3-Minute Shower: Keep showers under three minutes and skip hair washing if possible.
- “If it’s Yellow…”: Only flush toilets when absolutely necessary.
- Scrape, Don’t Rinse: Don’t pre-rinse dishes; wait for a completely full load before running the dishwasher.
- Laundry Delay: Postpone washing clothes until the repair is complete or only wash essential items.
Status of the Repair
| Feature | Status |
| Repair Timeline | Estimated 2 weeks (mid-January completion). |
| Outdoor Water Use | Strictly Prohibited (includes ice rinks and car washing). |
| Boil Water Advisory | In effect for Montgomery, Parkdale, Point McKay, and West Hillhurst. |
| Cause | Sudden failure of a major concrete feeder main. |
