Contractors and consultants are licking their chops after hearing Calgary’s mayor say the city won’t nickel and dime a fix for the Bearspaw feeder main.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas said three times during Saturday’s media conference on the Bearspaw feeder main break that Calgary will “spare no expense” to fix or replace the beleaguered water trunk line.

He was responding to questions from local reporters about the savings previous councils have tried to find, generally to limit property tax increases, coupled with the willingness to spend $25 million for past repairs on the broken line.

“Our council is united. We will spare no expense to fix this, not just for today, not just for tomorrow, but for the next 100 years,” Farkas told reporters.

“Under our council term, we will fix this, and we will fix this for good.”

Farkas then mentioned that the most recent budget adjustment called for tens of millions in brand new infrastructure. He said the budget, put together by the previous council, included a billion dollars for investment in Calgary water infrastructure.

“So, we will spare no expense. We will do this faster than anything we have ever done before, we will do it faster, and we’ll get it done the right time, so the Calgarians will never have to worry about something so fundamental as clean, safe drinking water ever again on our watch for the next 100 years,” Farkas said once again.

Meanwhile, repairs are ongoing on the Bearspaw feeder main break, with the site now being fully excavated and water having been pumped out of the location. The existing pipe is now being cut before being moved, according to Michael Thompson, general manager of infrastructure services.

“This moment reinforces how critical our water system is to the city and surrounding communities. We recognize the concerns this situation creates, and we take it seriously,” he said.

 “I want to reassure you that our teams are fully focused on managing the current repairs required while accelerating the infrastructure that will support our future.”

The fibre optic system is operational as they replace this pipe section, Thompson said.

Monday, Monday

The City of Calgary is waiting on pins and needles as Calgarians return from holidays to both work and school on Monday.

Water consumption on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, was in the green area on the City of Calgary dashboard. That means the consumption/production ratio allowed the storage reservoirs to be refilled.

The consumption crept into the yellow area, which was slightly above the ideal 485 million litres.

There’s worry that with the bulk of Calgarians headed back to both work and school, the consumption number will jump.

“We are worried about this demand on Monday and remind Calgarians to be really mindful of water consumption as you undertake a new routine in these circumstances,” said Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Sue Henry.

She said that they need everyone, regardless of the area of Calgary where citizens live, to chip in to manage the water supply.

“We ask you to take three simple steps: Run dishwashers and laundry loads only when they are full, keep showers to three minutes or less, and only flush toilets when needed,” Henry said.

“These small steps have a huge impact. We are working very hard to get things back to normal, and your support makes all the difference.”

Henry outlined how big a difference small steps can make: Skip five flushes, and it saves 30 litres. Take a shower for one minute less and it’s eight litres; dishwashers use up to 20 litres of water, and a washing machine up to 112 litres.

“An average fire truck holds 2,000 liters of water. If 67 people in Calgary saved 30 liters of water today, that’s enough for fire crews to arrive at an emergency and begin taking action,” she said.

Chief Henry also reminded Calgarians that there would be lane closures and detours in the northwest, and for commuters to be prepared with alternate routes.

More information on lane closures and detours can be found here.

Mayor Farkas said he and other councillors are hearing about the impact this latest water situation is having on Calgarians.

“No one expects to be dealing with another water issue so soon after the 2024 break,” he said.

“No one should have to wonder whether they’re being told the whole story about something as basic as drinking water. That’s not acceptable, and it’s something that we are changing.”

He said that the independent panel report is expected to come to the Jan. 13 Executive Committee meeting and the document will be made public.

“We are absolutely committed to giving Calgarians the straight goods – the good, the bad and the ugly,” he said.

“If there are hard truths in that report, you will hear them. If there are gaps in governance, oversight or decision-making, we will acknowledge them. And if changes are needed, we will act on them as well. The system is too important to manage behind closed doors.”