Calgary council approves $600 million boost to water system

Calgary city council has unanimously approved a $609 million investment to upgrade and stabilize the city’s strained water system.

The motion passed 15-0 to approve a sweeping package that includes major capital projects, emergency staffing, and long‑term repairs to critical feeder mains.

Much of the funding will go toward replacing deteriorating pipes, expanding system capacity, and ensuring crews are ready to respond quickly if another break occurs, according to officials.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the investment is necessary after years of underfunding essential water infrastructure.

“This additional investment for water utility is absolutely essential,” he said. “It’s needed for us to catch up on the investment that’s required for the replacement pipe.”

A significant portion of the funding, about $40 million, is earmarked for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, both for ongoing repairs and to prepare for potential future failures. It comes as the city moves ahead with a secondary twinned replacement line.

Doug Morgan, the city’s general manager of operational services, said the upgrades require not only construction dollars but also trained staff to bring new infrastructure online and maintain emergency readiness.

“We need the field staff to bring these new pieces of infrastructure online….to make sure that we’ve got professional operators to turn the valves and make sure it gets integrated and can provide safe service,” he said.

He added that additional staffing is needed now to ensure the city can respond quickly if another major break occurs.

“Some of these are resources to have backup and emergency support. Should something happen, we then have staff to mobilize, make sure we can respond and make that repair, but also keep the rest of the city running,” Morgan said.

Concerns over transparency, long‑term costs

Despite unanimous support, several councillors raised concerns about how the city manages its finances and the long‑term implications of the spending.

Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston said he supports the investment but remains uneasy about the city’s financial oversight, especially after a provincial review was launched into Calgary’s water system processes.

“Right now I don’t trust the system. I made that very clear,” Johnston said. “There’s gotta be transparency on it. It’s not the dollar amount to me that is bad, it’s how it’s being spent.”

He added that he wants council to ask more detailed questions ahead of upcoming budget discussions.

Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal said the urgency of the situation leaves little room for hesitation.

“I don’t know if there’s any other option. If someone tells me there’s another option where this pipe won’t break for another 20 years, I’m happy not to support it,” he said.

Farkas emphasized that Calgary taxpayers will not shoulder the full cost. Surrounding communities including Tsuut’ina, Strathmore, Chestermere, and Airdrie, will also share in the funding because they rely on Calgary’s water system.

“Yes, this is an unfortunate but necessary investment that we have to make,” Farkas said.