Independent report into Calgary’s 2024 water main failure to be released to council, special meeting to follow
Posted Jan 5, 2026 5:24 pm.
Last Updated Jan 6, 2026 4:30 pm.
Calgary city council is expected to receive a long‑awaited independent report into the city’s major 2024 water main break.
In a post to social media Tuesday, Mayor Jeromy Farkas says city council will receive the report on Tuesday and he’s called a special meeting of council for Wednesday afternoon.
There, the report will be presented publicly by the panel, debated openly, and formally considered by council. This will allow the recommendations to be implemented without delay, he adds.
“The swift public release of this work reflects our clear commitment to accountability, learning, and strengthening the delivery, and confidence in, Calgary’s essential water systems,” he wrote.
The release follows increased pressure from councillors and the mayor for answers on what went wrong and what must change in the wake of another break along the Bearspaw South feeder main last week.
Farkas reiterated his commitment to openness as the city prepares to review the findings.
“Every step of the way we will be transparent with Calgarians — the good, the bad and the ugly,” he said. “And every step of the way we’ll be as honest with Calgarians as possible when it comes to the challenges we’re facing.”
Questions around the report’s handling surfaced over the weekend after Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston raised concerns online, noting council has not yet seen the document while city administration has already received a draft.
“We have no idea how many people have seen the report or been in contact with the author,” Johnston wrote.
Both the mayor and senior administration officials pushed back on suggestions of interference. Michael Thompson, the City of Calgary’s general manager of infrastructure services, said administration’s involvement has been limited to supplying factual information.
“They asked with respect to some facts, we provided those back,” he said. “We are not editing the report. It is not our report — it is an independent panel report.”
