Bearspaw South Feeder Main: Reviews and Progress
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After the first break in the Bearspaw South Feeder Main in June 2024, The City began to take action to stabilize our water system, understand the root causes of the issue, and make plans to replace the pipe. This work took on even more urgency after the second break in December 2025, and the findings of the Independent Panel Review.
At this pivotal moment in our organization, we are moving quickly and intentionally to ensure we have a reliable water system with the right infrastructure, systems and governance for generations to come.
Timeline of events
What we’re doing now
The Water Transformation Program outlines key actions that will stabilize our water system, build for the future, and transform the way we govern and operate our water utility.
The program is on track, with work underway across both infrastructure and how we manage and oversee the system to improve long‑term reliability.
Establishing independent oversight
We’re creating a Water Utility Oversight Board (WUOB) to provide Council with expert, independent advice on water system reliability, risk and major investment decisions. The WUOB is planned to be stood up by the end of this year.
In the meantime, an interim advisory group is in place to support timely decision-making and escalation of risks.
Improving leadership and accountability
We’re building a dedicated Water Department, and currently recruiting a Chief Operating Officer (COO), Water to lead it.
The COO will be the single point of accountability for safe and reliable water services, supported by oversight from Council and the WUOB.
Reinforcing the old pipe and building a new one
We completed reinforcement work on the weakest segments of the pipe in March 2026. We’re moving fast to replace the feeder main in December 2026, reducing reliance on a single pipe.
We’re also accelerating other projects that will increase our system capacity, including the North Feeder Main and design work for the South Calgary Water Servicing Project.
Expanding inspection and monitoring
We’re increasing how and how often we inspect critical pipes to identify issues earlier.
This includes expanded condition assessments, continuous fibre‑optic acoustic monitoring and targeted inspections of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main to track pipe condition over time. These improvements help identify and address risks earlier and support more reliable system performance.
Strengthening emergency preparedness
We’ve strengthened our emergency readiness, so we’re better prepared to respond if risks are identified.
This includes updated emergency response plans, improved standby response capability and securing critical spare parts to support faster, safer repairs.
Improving planning and risk management
We’re embedding risk and asset integrity practices across the water system so the highest risk issues are identified earlier.
This work guides long-term planning and investment decisions and helps ensure reliability is built into how decisions are made, not handled after problems occur.
Improving transparency and tracking progress over time
We’re improving how we track and share progress. This includes regular public updates on system reliability and risks, governance and organizational changes, and progress on our Implementation Plan.
Regular reporting helps maintain focus on long‑term improvement, not just response to individual incidents.
As of June 2026, all areas are on track or complete. Find the full status report here
What this means for Calgarians
Reports and reviews
This section highlights select public reports and processes related to the work to improve Calgary’s water system.
Reports to Committee and Council
Reviews and investigations
Panel report
Panel report
Read more about The Independent Review Panel’s findings and recommendations following the Bearspaw Feeder Main failures.
Pipe investigation
Pipe investigation
This pipe investigation, led by Associated Engineering and Pure Technologies, examines what caused the feeder main to deteriorate and fail on June 5, 2024.
APEGA practice review
APEGA practice review
The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) has released its findings after reviewing The City’s engineering practices APEGA practice review.
Provincial inspection
Provincial inspection
The Province is currently conducting an inspection into the governance and management of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. We’re working with the Inspector to provide the information requested as part of this process.
Frequently asked questions
What is being done to prevent another feeder main failure?
We have completed reinforcement work on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and are building a new parallel water main, which is on track to be in service in December 2026.
We’ve strengthened inspection, monitoring and emergency preparedness to help identify and address risks earlier.
At the same time, we’re improving governance and accountability to support better decision-making and reduce long-term risk.
Why is The City creating a dedicated water department?
The Panel found that Calgary’s water system needs clearer accountability, stronger oversight and a more consistent long‑term focus on safety and reliability.
Creating a dedicated water department, bringing all core water responsibilities under a single leadership team, makes it clearer who is responsible for major decisions and easier to manage risk over time.
We’re currently recruiting a Water Utility Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead this work, with interviews complete and an offer expected to be finalized in June.
What is the Water Utility Oversight Board (WUOB)?
The Water Utility Oversight Board is a new, independent advisory body established by City Council.
It will provide expert advice to Council on water system reliability, risk and major investment decisions.
Recruitment is underway for the WUOB Chair, and the full Board is expected to be in place by the end of the year.
In the meantime, an interim executive forum is in place to support timely decision-making and escalation of risks.
Is The City on track to improve Calgary’s water system?
Yes, as of the June 2026 Quarterly Update, all areas of work are on track or complete. This includes replacing the feeder main, strengthening governance and improving how decisions are made and risks are managed.
Background
Background
The Bearspaw South Feeder Main is one of the largest water pipes in Calgary’s network and supplies a significant portion of the city’s treated water. The feeder main experienced a break in June 2024 and a second break in December 2025, which increased urgency to reduce risk and strengthen system reliability.
Following the second break, we accelerated investigation, repair and reinforcement work to stabilize the system. We completed reinforcement work in April 2026.
To support long‑term reliability, we’re building a new, parallel water main of the same size as the existing pipe. The new pipe is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will reduce sole reliance on the original feeder main.