When a city’s water supply suddenly vanishes, the first thought is usually about your own tap. For Calgary residents, that became reality on December 30, 2025, when the Bearspaw feeder main ruptured for the second time in less than two years. Here’s what’s known about the break, why it keeps happening, and how to handle the immediate practical questions of flushing, showering, and staying informed.

4 related posts

Date of latest major break: December 30, 2025 (Bearspaw Feeder Main) · Current water restriction stage (as of Jan 1, 2026): Stage 4 · Affected neighborhoods (latest break): Bowness and Montgomery · Estimated repair timeline for major feeder main: Multiple days to weeks · Total water main breaks reported to City (annual average): Over 1,000 per year · Size of Bearspaw Feeder Main: Major transmission line supplying approximately 60% of Calgary’s water

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact timeline for full water pressure restoration
  • Long-term funding for comprehensive pipe replacement
  • Whether further failures are imminent in other sections of the feeder main
3Timeline signal
  • June 2024: First catastrophic Bearspaw break
  • Dec 30, 2025: Second rupture in same feeder main
  • Jan 1, 2026: Stage 4 restrictions, repair begins
4What’s next

Seven key facts, one pattern: each incident reinforces a story of deferred maintenance and repeated crisis.

Fact Detail
Date of latest major break December 30, 2025
Location Bowness and Montgomery (Bearspaw feeder main)
Water restriction stage Stage 4 (as of Jan 1, 2026)
Water supply affected Approximately 60% of Calgary
Estimated repair time Multiple days to weeks
Previous major break June 2024 (Bearspaw feeder main, similar location)
Annual break count Over 1,000 per year

What happened to the water in Calgary?

Chronology of the 2025 Bearspaw feeder main rupture

  • The City of Calgary responded to a major water main break on 16 Ave. N.W., east of Sarcee Trail, at approximately 8 p.m. on December 30, 2025 (City of Calgary Repair Updates and Images (municipal emergency portal)).
  • Global News reported it was the second catastrophic water main break in less than two years (Global News (news outlet)).
  • Crews pumped out water surrounding the break overnight so repairs could proceed safely (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).
The upshot

Less than 18 months after the 2024 break, the same feeder main failed again – meaning the temporary fixes and “strategic amnesia” cited in an independent panel report have not prevented a repeat crisis.

Current water restriction stage and impact

  • On January 1, 2026, the City of Calgary announced Stage 4 water restrictions (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).
  • The break placed Calgary in the Red Zone, where treatment plants were operating at full capacity with no system redundancy (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).
  • Treated water storage was approximately 496 million litres, below the 600 million litres needed to stabilize the system (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)). The system lost about 100 million litres over the previous 24 hours (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).
  • A boil water advisory remained in place for portions of Parkdale, Montgomery Point McKay, and West Hillhurst (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).

The implication: Calgary is operating without a safety margin. A single rupture forces city-wide conservation and leaves neighbourhoods without safe tap water.

Why does Calgary have so many water main breaks?

Aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance

The 2024 panel report findings on ‘strategic amnesia’

  • The panel report, cited by CBC and Global News, described a pattern of repeated council warnings followed by inaction – what some called “strategic amnesia”.
  • Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the city was committed to fixing a problematic water main that had burst twice in about a year and a half (Global News (news outlet)).

Why this matters: Without a funding shift, the next break is not a question of if, but when. The 2025 rupture is a direct consequence of deferring capital maintenance.

How long to fix a water main break in Calgary?

Typical repair timeline for a standard break

Timeline for a major feeder main repair

  • The Bearspaw feeder main is a major transmission line. Repairs are expected to take multiple days to weeks (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).
  • As of January 1, the damaged section was fully exposed and excavation continued; a camera inspection was underway (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).
  • Temporary distribution bypasses were being installed to redistribute water (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).

The catch: The standard 48-hour window applies to routine breaks. A major transmission line failure can stretch into weeks, especially in winter conditions.

Can I flush the toilet during a water main break?

When flushing is safe

  • If water pressure is normal and the break is elsewhere in the system, flushing is generally safe but residents are urged to conserve (City of Calgary Water Outages and Main Breaks (municipal utility guidance)).

When flushing is not safe

  • If water pressure is off, do not flush – risk of sewer backup (common guidance from municipal plumbing resources).

Alternative methods to flush the toilet with no water

  1. Pour a bucket of water directly into the toilet bowl; it will trigger a flush mechanism without supply pressure.
  2. For solid waste, wait until water service is restored if possible.
  3. If you must flush, use a 5-gallon bucket of water poured quickly into the bowl to force waste through the trap.

What this means: Knowing whether your pressure is affected is key. Check the City’s outage map or call 311 before assuming you can flush normally.

Is it safe to shower during a water main break?

Boil water advisory implications

  • During a boil water advisory, avoid showering unless necessary – ingesting contaminated water is possible; use bottled water for sponge baths (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).

Contamination risks during a break

  • A water main break can introduce bacteria or sediment into the system. The City’s boil water advisory covers portions of Parkdale, Montgomery Point McKay, and West Hillhurst (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).

Best practices for bathing

  • If the advisory is active, take short, careful showers with minimal water contact. Young children and the immunocompromised should avoid immersion.
The trade-off

For most healthy adults, a quick shower under a boil advisory carries low risk – but the City’s warning is clear: if you have an open wound or a weakened immune system, wait or use bottled water.

The implication: Residents in affected zones face an uncomfortable choice between hygiene and safety until the advisory lifts.

Is Calgary still in a water shortage?

Current stage of water restrictions (as of Jan 2026)

  • Stage 4 water restrictions are in effect as of January 1, 2026 (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).
  • All non-essential outdoor water use is banned; indoor conservation is requested.

How residents can monitor the situation

Long-term water conservation outlook

  • Until the Bearspaw feeder main is fully repaired and the system’s storage returns above 600 million litres, the shortage persists (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government)).

The pattern: Calgary is stuck in a cycle – a major break triggers restrictions, repairs are rushed, and the underlying pipe replacement does not get funded. The next shortage is already on the horizon.

How can I report a water main break in Calgary?

Call 311 for no water or visible pooling

  • The primary reporting channel is 311 (City of Calgary Water Outages and Main Breaks (municipal utility guidance)).

Online reporting tools

  • The City of Calgary website has an outage map and online reporting form.

What information to provide

  • Photograph the leak location if safe. Provide the nearest street address, intersection, and a brief description of the flow.

Why this matters: Every reported break feeds the data the City uses to prioritize replacements. Your call to 311 is a direct input into the maintenance queue.

Timeline of events

  • – First catastrophic Bearspaw feeder main break prompts Stage 4 restrictions and city-wide conservation.
  • – Independent panel report released; city council receives new information about infrastructure disrepair. CBC reports on ‘strategic amnesia’.
  • – Second major rupture of the Bearspaw feeder main in Bowness/Montgomery area; emergency crews respond.
  • – City of Calgary announces Stage 4 water restrictions; start of repair operations.
  • – CBC reports: Calgary to act on recommendations from panel report on 2024 break.
  • Ongoing – Repairs continue; city updates via newsroom.calgary.ca. Residents advised to conserve water.

What’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Bearspaw feeder main ruptured on December 30, 2025.
  • City of Calgary declared Stage 4 water restrictions on January 1, 2026.
  • Multiple independent reports indicate deferred maintenance contributed to failures.
  • Annual water main breaks in Calgary exceed 1,000.

What’s unclear

  • Exact timeline for full restoration of normal water pressure.
  • Long-term funding for comprehensive pipe replacement.
  • Whether further failures are imminent in other sections of the feeder main.
  • Whether the current temporary repairs will hold until permanent replacement is completed.

“The damaged section of pipe was fully exposed and excavation continues to provide full access for repairs. A camera inspection inside the pipe is underway.”

— City of Calgary Newsroom, January 1, 2026 (City of Calgary Newsroom (municipal government))

“This is the second catastrophic water main break in less than two years. Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the city was committed to fixing a problematic water main that had burst twice in about a year and a half.”

— Global News (Global News (news outlet))

For Calgary, the 2025 water main break is not an anomaly – it is a symptom. The independent panel’s recommendation to replace the Bearspaw feeder main has accelerated, but the city’s history of deferring capital spending means residents should expect more disruptions. The trade-off for Calgarians is clear: invest in pipe replacement now through higher water rates, or face recurring Stage 4 emergencies that strain daily life, close businesses, and erode trust in municipal infrastructure.

Additional sources

livewirecalgary.com, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my water is affected by the break?

Check the City of Calgary’s water outage map at calgary.ca or call 311. If you have no water or low pressure, your area is likely in the affected zone.

What should I do if my water is brown or cloudy after a break?

Run the cold tap for 5–10 minutes. If it remains discolored, avoid drinking it and report to 311. Sediment can be stirred up during repairs. For ongoing water quality concerns, a water filter for the house can provide additional protection.

Is it safe to drink tap water during a boil water advisory?

No. Boil vigorously for at least one minute before drinking, or use bottled water. The advisory covers Parkdale, Montgomery Point McKay, and West Hillhurst.

Can I use my dishwasher during water restrictions?

Only if you run a full load and your dishwasher has a sanitize cycle. Under Stage 4, discretionary use is discouraged.

Will my car wash be closed due to Stage 4 restrictions?

Commercial car washes are typically restricted under Stage 4. Check with the specific business; many close voluntarily.

How does the City prioritize which breaks to fix first?

The City uses a risk matrix: major feeder mains (like Bearspaw) are top priority, followed by lines serving critical facilities (hospitals, fire stations), then residential distribution lines.

What is the Bearspaw South Feeder Main?

It is a large-diameter transmission pipe that supplies roughly 60% of Calgary’s drinking water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant west of the city.

Are water main breaks covered by home insurance?

Typically, damage from water escaping the break (e.g., basement flooding) may be covered if you have sewer backup or water damage endorsement. The break itself on city property is the City’s responsibility.