Calgary's Water Mains: An Ongoing Challenge Beneath Our Feet

Calgarians are familiar with the inconvenience of water main breaks, a persistent issue highlighted by data from 2018 showing 1,374 incidents across the city. These breaks occur year-round, often spurred by factors like aged pipes, variable soil conditions, and Calgary's notorious temperature swings.

While residents experience disruptions in water service and increased traffic due to repairs, the city has made headway with a replacement program that reduced emergency repairs by 73% since 1980. However, the situation underscores a critical balancing act between public expectations and the complexities of maintaining an aging infrastructure.

The current program has attracted praise, contrasting with challenges like those revealed in the 2024 Bearspaw main incident. This incident highlighted legacy manufacturing flaws, propelling discussions on proactive versus reactive investments in infrastructure. Experts emphasize Calgary's relatively strong performance among Canadian cities, but public calls for more robust investments persist, as securing the city's water future remains a high priority.

This Article Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary.