For the second time in less than two years, a critical water artery in Calgary has suffered a catastrophic failure, plunging parts of the city into a new water crisis and prompting urgent conservation measures. The rupture of the Bearspaw south feeder main on Tuesday night has officials warning Calgarians to prepare for significant disruptions.
A Sudden and Severe Failure
The rupture occurred around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2025, beneath 16th Avenue N.W., just east of the Sarcee Trail interchange. City officials, including Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Calgary Emergency Management Agency chief Sue Henry, confirmed this is the second "catastrophic failure" of the same feeder main that broke in June 2024.
Unlike some infrastructure failures, this event gave no acoustic warning. Officials stated that acoustic monitoring systems did not indicate a second failure was imminent, leaving little time for preventative action. The break led to gushing water and flash flooding on 16th Avenue, stranding 13 motorists in eight vehicles until emergency crews could rescue them. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The immediate aftermath saw both 16th Avenue N.W. and Sarcee Trail closed in all directions, with drivers urged to avoid the area and follow posted detours. By early Wednesday morning, the city's water services team had managed to shut off the flow to the broken section and pinpoint the exact location of the rupture.
Immediate Impacts and Emergency Response
The severity of the break forced the city to enact its municipal emergency plan and activate the Calgary Emergency Operations Centre. "I want to take a moment to recognize that this event, given our recent history, may cause stress for a lot of Calgarians," said Emergency Management Chief Sue Henry. "While we do not have all the answers today, our teams are working around the clock to protect Calgarians, protect our water system, keep it safe and flowing and to restore services as quickly as we can."
The failed pipe is not a minor line; it is one of Calgary's most vital pieces of water infrastructure. The Bearspaw south feeder main is responsible for transporting approximately 60% of all treated water from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to reservoirs across the city. Its failure directly threatens the city's water supply stability.
In response, the city has issued a boil water advisory for the neighbourhoods immediately downstream of the break: Montgomery, Point McKay, and Parkdale. Water wagons will be deployed in these communities to provide residents with access to safe, treated water.
Citywide Restrictions and a Troubling History
For all other Calgarians, strict conservation measures are now in effect. Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions have been activated, and residents are being strongly urged to reduce indoor water use immediately. Recommendations include taking shorter showers, reducing toilet flushes, and only running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
This scenario is a painful echo of the summer of 2024, when the same feeder main ruptured, leading to a months-long water crisis. That event resulted in prolonged outdoor watering bans and citywide pleas to curb indoor usage to prevent a total strain on the water supply. Mayor Jeromy Farkas has previously described the feeder main as a "ticking time bomb," a characterization that feels prescient after this latest failure.
The repeated catastrophic failures of this essential infrastructure highlight significant challenges in Calgary's water system. As repair crews assess the damage and begin the complex work of fixing the massive pipe, the city holds its breath, hoping conservation efforts will be enough to avert a more severe supply shortage while questions about long-term infrastructure reliability loom large.
