The Irony Flows: New Council's Optimism Tested by Bearspaw Break

The Gist

Just as Calgarians were settling into the mandate of their newly elected City Council, a familiar and unwelcome emergency has once again put the city's infrastructure – and its new leadership – to the test. A recent social media post from Cory Morgan (@CoryBMorgan), penned with an optimism for the "best mayor and council combination it has seen in over a decade," now reads with a poignant irony, prefaced by the admission: "I wrote this before the water main broke." This sentiment of a fresh start had been palpable since the October 20, 2025, municipal election, which saw the defeat of incumbent Mayor Jyoti Gondek – the first time a Calgary mayor lost a re-election bid since Ross Alger in 1980. Sworn into office on October 29, 2025, Mayor Jeromy Farkas and the new council were meant to usher in a new era. Instead, they've been met with the severe challenges posed by yet another significant water main break.

Impact on Calgarians

For thousands of Calgarians, the optimism for new leadership has been overshadowed by the very real and immediate disruption caused by the latest Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure on December 30, 2025. This critical piece of infrastructure, the largest in our city's network, also experienced a major break on June 5, 2024. This time, the fallout is severe: a boil water advisory has been issued for communities including Parkdale, Montgomery, and Point McKay, directly affecting daily routines for residents in those areas. City-wide, the impact stretches far beyond a few neighbourhoods. Stage 4 Water Restrictions are in full effect, meaning no outdoor water use for things like rinks or snow-making, and a strong request for voluntary indoor conservation, urging shorter showers and full loads for dishwashers and laundry. Beyond the restrictions, approximately 2,000 homes and 100 businesses have faced direct service disruptions, and fire crews were even called to rescue 13 people from vehicles trapped in floodwaters near 16th Avenue NW and Sarcee Trail. It’s a harsh reminder of how vital, and vulnerable, our city’s foundational services are.

The Reality Check

This latest crisis is a stark "reality check" for the new council, directly challenging their mandate to deliver effective governance. Mayor Jeromy Farkas didn't mince words, stating, "None of this is acceptable to myself and my council colleagues," and emphasizing the necessity for the full replacement of the Bearspaw South feeder main. The City's Municipal Emergency Plan (MEP) has been activated, and Water Utility Bylaw 40M2006 is being enforced to manage the crisis. Calgarians are already contributing to the solution, with the recently approved 2025 budget allocating significant investments into our water infrastructure. Council approved borrowing authority for over $1 billion for water resources, with planned investments including a substantial $473 million directly for water distribution, including these critical feeder mains, and another $134 million slated to plan for a new water treatment plant. This crisis underscores the urgency of these long-term commitments, highlighting that past issues with our vital lines, like those previously seen along Deerfoot, require more than just quick fixes.

The Bottom Line

While the new mayor and council have barely had time to settle into their seats at The Bow, this latest water main break serves as an immediate, high-pressure test of their ability to govern and adapt. The collective hope for a dynamic and effective new leadership, as expressed in Morgan's tweet, now rests on their shoulders to not only navigate this immediate emergency but also to demonstrate a clear path forward for the city's aging infrastructure. For every Calgarian facing water restrictions, boiling their water, or simply watching news of floodwaters near major arteries like 16th Avenue NW, the question isn't just about fixing a pipe, but about ensuring our city's resilience. The mandate for change is clear; now, the challenge is to prove that this 'best mayor and council combination' can truly deliver when the pressure is on.