A sigh of relief for some, but the water woes aren't over! Boil-water advisories have been lifted for certain Calgary neighborhoods after a significant watermain break, but the city is still urging residents to conserve water. Let's dive into the details.
This news comes after the rupture of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which occurred on December 30th. This break triggered the advisories for nearly 3,000 residents in Parkdale, Montgomery, Point McKay, and West Hillhurst. Thankfully, collaborative testing by the city, Alberta Health Services, and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas has confirmed the water is now safe to drink. However, if you haven't used your taps in the last 24 hours, the city recommends flushing your home's water system before use.
But here's where it gets controversial... even though the advisories are lifted, the city is pleading with all Calgarians to continue conserving water. The goal is to prevent demand from exceeding the available supply. On Saturday, water usage crept up to 495 million liters, surpassing the target of 485 million liters.
"The first Monday of 2026 is expected to mark a return to work and school for many Calgarians. We’re continuing to remind everyone to adjust their water use habits and help conserve our water system," said Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Susan Henry in a recent news release.
In terms of traffic, a single eastbound lane on 16 Avenue NW east of Sarcee Trail NW has reopened, as has access to eastbound 16 Avenue NW from Sarcee. Westbound traffic along 16 Avenue NW between 49 Street and Sarcee Trail NW remains closed.
The city also provided an update on the repairs. Crews have removed water from the site on 16 Avenue NW and excavated the damaged section. The pipe removal phase was expected to begin on Sunday.
And this is the part most people miss... This is the second time in just a year and a half that a section of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main has burst. This main supplies a whopping 60% of the treated water for the city of 1.6 million people. The last rupture, in the summer of 2024, led to months of water restrictions, advisories, and even a state of emergency.
What are your thoughts on Calgary's water situation? Do you think enough is being done to address these recurring issues? Share your opinions in the comments below!
