Calgary moving forward with feeder main failure implementation plan

Calgary is preparing to take the next significant step in overhauling its water infrastructure, as a plan to implement recommendations stemming from the Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure heads to city council for a vote.

The proposal follows an independent review of last year’s catastrophic feeder main break, which disrupted water service across the city and prompted calls for stronger oversight and long‑term investment in the system.

City administration has distilled the review’s findings into a four‑stage implementation plan, with the first three phases already underway or scheduled to begin later this year.

Key recommendations include continuing work to twin the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, hiring a new Chief Operating Officer to lead a dedicated water utility department, and establishing a municipally controlled corporation to oversee Calgary’s water services.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas said he’s prepared for the financial realities of such an overhaul, emphasizing that long‑term infrastructure shouldn’t be judged solely on immediate costs.

“Ratepayers today don’t have to carry the full freight for something that will be used by ratepayers over the next century,” Farkas said. “It’s down to us to demonstrate we’re spending money wisely, that we are being proactive, and we know that Calgarians will support us in this.”

Administration is requesting an initial $3 million to begin preparatory work, though officials did not provide a full cost estimate for the entire plan. They say detailed financial projections are still being finalized and will be presented to council in March.

Farkas was asked by reporters if signing off on the implementation plan before knowing the price tag was like putting the cart before the horse. He said many of the set recommendations don’t have an associated cost.

“We’re going to have the opportunity through the coming months and years to get a sense of what the actual hard cost will be to modernize Calgary’s infrastructure, starting with our water utility,” Farkas said.

He also said the water utility is one aspect of the city’s infrastructure that needs updating.

“We are behind significantly and we are going to be as proactive as possible with Calgarians to share the good, the bad, the ugly, everything that it entails to be able to catch up.”

The cost of building the pipe can be spread out over its lifetime.

Coun. DJ Kelly said council is looking to make the updates without tax rate shocks to residents.

“Previous councils have made decisions in order to be able to under-invest in our infrastructure, in order to be able to keep tax rates low,” he said.

“We see what the consequences of that are, so, this is a council that’s not gonna pass the buck. We can’t do this again.”

Administration also recommends transferring $50 million from its utility reserve to replenish funds spent on the pair of water line breaks.

After the Executive Committee cleared the implementation plan on Tuesday, it is now scheduled to go before council at its Feb. 17 meeting.

With files from The Canadian Press