Bearspaw South Feeder Main Improvements Project
Project background
The City is pleased to be moving forward with the Bearspaw South Feeder Main Improvements project. This is a critical step in making Calgary’s water system more reliable and resilient for the future. We all know how important water infrastructure is, which is why the Bearspaw South Feeder Main Improvements Project is a critical step in ensuring current and future system reliability and water service needs. This project is an important part of investing in critical water utilities and infrastructure by installing system redundancies and improving overall system reliability which will reduce the risk of future feeder main system issues or failures.
As the largest feeder main in Calgary's network, BSFM is responsible for distributing a significant portion of treated water to about 1.5 million people in Calgary and surrounding communities. This improvements project is an investment in infrastructure both for now and the future; by improving the water feeder main system, we are proactively upgrading and protecting the system with the intention of reducing risks of future system issues.
Project stages
The project will happen in two stages:
- Stage A: From the Shaganappi Pump Station to 73 Street NW on the west side of the Bow River.
- Stage B: Continues from 73 Street NW to 48 Ave N.W./33 Ave N.W., with a potential extension to the Bearspaw Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Stage A is expected to start construction in Spring 2026 and the second stage, Stage B, will undergo detailed design and planning in Q3 2026.
Project duration
Starting in Spring 2026 and running until about late-2028
Where are we now?
Stage A of the feeder main improvements project is currently in the design phase and planned to go to tender in late 2025. The City Project Engineering Team is working to advance the design for Stage A and has completed preliminary design at the end of Q2 2025, with detailed design nearing completion in early December, 2025. We expect that we can begin work on Stage A in Spring 2026.
What does construction look like for Stage A?
Micro-tunnelling is planned for Stage A due to issues with the existing pipe alignment and significant crossings such as 16 Avenue, the Bow River, Sarcee Trail and the CPKC rail line. While some surface work will be required, work can happen at targeted locations instead of along the entire corridor. Micro-tunnelling is the best practical option for this stretch as the buried infrastructure we need to reach can be best accessed in this targeted manner instead of needing open trenches along the corridor.
Stage B will further extend the line, making a connection from 73 Street NW to 48 Ave NW/33 Avenue NW, with a potential extension to the Bearspaw Wastewater Treatment Plant. The rehabilitation and continued operations of the feeder main and service resilience are key focus areas for Water Treatment & Supply.
Stage B details and plans will be shared once detailed design and planning are complete; we expect to have detailed design and planning complete by Q3 2026 and will share more information on Stage B at that time.
We remain committed to sharing information with interested parties in a timely manner and in advance of major construction impacts. We recognize the impact of the 2024 feeder main break to businesses and communities and the importance of timely, considerate communications to interested parties so that you know what's happening, when and where. As part of our commitment to transparent communication, information sessions will be hosted in early 2026 before work starts so that we can answer questions and share details on what to expect. Be sure to check back here for updates on information sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Bearspaw South Feeder Main remain operational throughout the improvements?
Yes, it is expected that the feeder main will continue to remain in service, except for short durations when the new pipe needs to be tied into the existing feeder main.
When does construction start?
Construction on Stage A is expected to start in Spring 2026. Stage B construction timing will be shared once detailed design is complete on that stage of work.
Where can I ask questions about the project?
We are planning information sessions for interested parties in early 2026. More information on those sessions will be available in the new year. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the project team directly at BSFMProject@calgary.ca.
Are there any plans for system wide redundancy, if so, what?
Feeder main projects will increase Calgary’s water capacity, to serve growth, provide redundancy and reduce reliance on existing feeder mains.
Two feeder main projects, North Calgary and South Calgary Water Servicing projects will reduce the reliance on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main to supply water during average day demand conditions, but the Bearspaw South Feeder Main will continue to be relied upon in the future to provide maximum daily demand. It is also a key piece of infrastructure that will enable the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant to be taken out of service for planned maintenance and upgrades.
Water treatment plant projects, will increase Calgary’s water treatment and raw water capacity, ensuring sufficient drinking water supply to serve growth. Additionally, the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant Expansion investment will eliminate single points of failure improving the reliability of the treatment plant.
- The Glenmore Water Treatment Plant Expansion includes a new treated water storage reservoir (called a “clearwell’), high lift pump station and electrical building. These projects will be complete by 2031.
- The Water Treatment Expansion program includes a new water treatment plant, and a new and/or upgraded raw water intake. The new infrastructure will be located along the Bow River and will be complete in 2035.
What happens if another major failure occurs before the new redundancy projects are completed?
While our third-party experts have told us that a failure of the feeder main is extremely unlikely, the City continues to monitor the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and has an emergency and spare parts plan in place to anticipate and proactively respond to a failure.
How long do you anticipate taking to develop and implement long term rehabilitation for the feeder main and when this will be shared?
The city will be returning to Council near the end of 2025 with additional details regarding the necessary work, including the project phasing, construction technique, alignment and cost estimate.
Why is only a portion of the Bearspaw Feeder Main currently being monitored? When will the remainder of this feeder main begin to be monitored? Is there no concern that other areas of this aging asset will break?
The City is using a combination of permanent and temporary monitoring along the length of the feeder main, with plans to replace the temporary locations with permanent monitoring equipment in Q2 2025. This monitoring, along with the completed repairs, third party experts’ statistical structural analysis and an emergency and spare parts plan is in place to manage the risk related to future breaks, and in fact allow us to proactively plan for a repair, if necessary.
How are you planning to improve the reliability of the Bearspaw South feeder main?
To improve the reliability of the Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe portion of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, several rehabilitation and replacement options have been identified and are currently being explored. The options include open cut pipe replacement, external reinforcement, internal lining, and microtunnelling of a new line.
The microtunnelling option has been selected as the most promising option at this time, as the construction technique minimizes traffic impact and water service disruption to Calgarians as well as minimizing the impact to adjacent homeowners and businesses.
What is microtunnelling?
A tunnel construction technique used to construct pipe underground. It includes a micro tunnel boring machine that creates the tunnel and then pipes are inserted behind the machine. This construction technique has been used by the water utility for other large diameter pipes, including the Inglewood Sanitary Trunk crossing of the Bow River and Nose Creek Sanitary trunk adjacent to Deerfoot Trail.
Can you provide details on the upcoming feeder main projects?
The North Calgary Water Servicing Project will provide partial system redundancy to the Bearspaw South feeder main. It will also provide redundancy to six other feeder mains. This project will be complete by 2028.
The South Calgary Water Servicing is in early development and will provide the remaining system redundancy to the Bearspaw South feeder main and two other feeder mains. This project is a new feeder main to move water to south Calgary from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant that is planned to be complete by 2031.
Crosstie Feeder main: This project will improve the redundancy of the feeder main network in NE Calgary and improve system pressures in Saddle Ridge, Taradale, Martindale and Falconridge. This feeder main extends along Country Hills Blvd from Coventry Hills Blvd to 60th Street NE and will be constructed by 2029.
How will these projects be funded, and will there be any impact on water rates for Calgarians?
There are no operating or capital costs associated with the recommendation in report IP 2025-0150. Consistent with current processes within these lines of service, construction budget may be requested separately from when design budget is needed. As projects move through stages of development, and when better cost estimates are available, a budget request for construction may come forward, which will also highlight any impact on rates.