Cloudy water, chlorine smell expected as Bearspaw pipe comes back online
Posted Mar 31, 2026 4:42 pm.
Calgarians may notice cloudy water and a stronger chlorine smell over the next day as the city begins pushing water back through the reinforced Bearspaw South feeder main.
Crews opened valves along the repaired section of pipe Tuesday morning and activated pumps at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to begin reintroducing flow.
The city says temporary cloudiness and a noticeable chlorine odour are expected as water moves through the system, but stresses the water remains safe to drink. Testing completed on Monday exceeded all regulatory standards, according to officials.
If the system stabilizes as expected, officials say outdoor water restrictions could be lifted as early as Thursday. Officials caution that re‑pressurizing the pipe is the most delicate stage of the repairs and the city continues to warn that the risk of another break in the aging feeder main remains present.
On Monday, Calgarians used 494 million litres of water, remaining in the sustainable “green zone” for the seventh consecutive day. Residents have been asked to take shorter showers, reduce toilet flushing, and limit laundry and dishwashing while the pipe has been offline for reinforcement work.
The city also confirmed that a planned inspection of the existing feeder main will proceed on April 9 to 11. A specialized pipe‑diving device will travel through the line to assess its condition.
Assuming the inspection and restart go smoothly, officials do not anticipate further restrictions until the fall, when the existing pipe will be shut down again to connect a the new replacement line to the system.
