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.
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.
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.
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.
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 completed reinforcement work on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and are building a new parallel water main.
We’ve strengthened inspection, monitoring and emergency preparedness to help identify and address risks earlier.
Our work to improve governance and accountability will also help prevent future failures.
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.
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.
Why do we need the WUOB?
Council created the Board following the Independent Review Panel’s findings, which identified the need for stronger oversight and clearer visibility into risks affecting Calgary’s water system.
The board will be made up of independent experts who can challenge assumptions and help Council make more informed decisions.
When will the WUOB be in place?
The WUOB is currently in the process of being implemented and is expected to be in place by the end of the year.
How will the WUOB work?
The Board will attend meetings throughout the year to review information and provide expert advice to Council, so that they can make more informed decisions. Day‑to‑day water operations will remain the responsibility of City Administration.
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.