Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas announced on Friday, May 1, 2026, that a second attempt to use a PipeDiver to inspect the steel portion of the Bearspaw South feeder main was successful. The inspection took place on April 28, after a previous attempt on April 13 failed when the robotic device got stuck.
Successful Inspection Details
Mayor Farkas shared the update on social media, stating that the PipeDiver test was conducted on Tuesday morning without any issues. The robot and recovery net were retrieved from the pipe successfully. Following the test, the city began refilling the feeder main on Wednesday afternoon. Once full, water samples were collected, and results came back on Thursday with no concerns, allowing the feeder main to be returned to service.
Previous Attempt and Challenges
The initial test on April 13 encountered a malfunction near the beginning of the inspection. The city reported that attempts to get the device moving again were unsuccessful, and it was retrieved later that week. The goal of both tests was to proactively assess the condition of a two-kilometre section of the pipe, which supplies the majority of Calgary's drinking water to residents and surrounding areas.
Upcoming Results and Future Plans
Mayor Farkas noted that it will take about a month for the city to receive the results from the successful inspection. These results will inform future plans for the pipe, including necessary repairs and maintenance. The city is currently working to replace the feeder main by the end of the year and has initiated steps to add redundant feeder mains to prevent future disruptions.
Background on Pipe Failures
Another section of the feeder main, made of prestressed concrete cylindrical pipe, experienced catastrophic failures in June 2024 and December 2025. These failures led to prolonged water rationing during initial repairs and subsequent work to strengthen the existing pipe. The recent inspection aims to prevent similar incidents by identifying potential issues early.
