Effective immediately, the Stage 4 restrictions that have kept Calgarians conserving water for the better part of three weeks are now over.

During a media update on Jan. 16, 2026, the City of Calgary said that the final pump was turned on Friday morning, and the system remains stable.

Later today, Calgary’s Municipal Emergency Plan will be deactivated, and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be closed, said Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Sue Henry.

“Although we are winding down our emergency response operations, I assure you that the pipe will continue to be closely monitored, and should we experience another break, we are ready to respond quickly and efficiently,” she said.

Infrastructure Services GM Michael Thompson said that they are closely monitoring the pipe as it was filled and repressurized, and the flow gradually increased.

“While today’s news is a step in the right direction, we still have a long way to go in our feeder main journey,” Thompson said.

Thompson noted that they will need to take the feeder main out of service in the spring and fall to repair and reinforce sections of the pipe.

“This critical work will require water restrictions in the spring and fall. Planning for these reinforcements is in progress now,” he said.

Work is ongoing and being accelerated to build a replacement for the Bearspaw South feeder main. Thompson said they have awarded a contract to start the work, and materials are being ordered, and equipment is being mobilized. Ward and Burke Microtunnelling and Graham Construction have been selected as contractors, Thompson said.

“As I’ve shared previously on December 30, our urgency changed,” Thompson said.

“This pipe failed without warning, putting our community in a vulnerable position. Going forward, we cannot risk this, and we are committed to working relentlessly to protect our community.”

City officials thanked Calgarians for doing their part to help with the water conservation, including people from the surrounding communities of Airdrie, Chestermere, Tsuut’ina Nation and Strathmore.

‘Moon shot’: Mayor Farkas wants pipe built in a year

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas also thanked Calgarians and citizens in surrounding communities for their efforts during the water restrictions.

“Thank you for saving water. Thank you for adjusting your routines and thank you for your patience, because we know that this has been incredibly disruptive and frustrating,” he said.

“Well, once again, Calgary, you have shown us what kind of city we are. You didn’t complain and shrug. You stepped up and you helped, and you got us to this point.”

Mayor Farkas said that today wasn’t a victory lap, though it may feel like one.

“Today is a milestone, and then tomorrow it is straight back to work. Because the truth is simple, this repair has simply bought Calgary time. But we are now in a race against the clock,” he said.

Farkas said that he wants the replacement line built faster than any other major project they’ve done. He drew the analogy of former US President John F Kennedy walking into NASA and asking a janitor what he was doing, and the janitor responded by saying that he was helping put a man on the moon.

“That’s what a real mission does. It gives every person in every role a shared purpose, and that’s what Calgary needs right now, because I need to be honest with you, Calgary from here on out, this can’t just be a project sitting in a binder somewhere,” he said.

“This has to become our moonshot for the next 365 days.”