Calgary residents could see an end to water restrictions as early as this Friday, city officials announced, marking a significant milestone in the recovery from the Bearspaw South feeder main break. The city is currently in the delicate process of reconnecting the critical water main to the distribution network.
Road Reopening and Crew Presence
In a positive sign of progress, Sue Henry, Chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, confirmed that eastbound lanes on 16th Avenue have been fully reopened. The westbound side is reopening in phases, with one lane currently open. The right-turn and curb lanes remain closed as the pavement repair needs more time to stabilize.
"The repair is temporary due to the time of year," Henry stated, noting that mobility crews will return in the spring to complete a permanent fix. She thanked Calgarians for their patience.
Residents near the feeder main site should expect to see an increased presence of city crews and first responders until approximately Friday. This is part of the final phase of protective measures, which includes having pumps ready in low-lying areas. Officials caution that they cannot guarantee the pipe will not break again as it is brought back into service.
Water Declared Safe, Reconnection Begins
The pivotal news that allowed reconnection to proceed came from water quality tests. Michael Thompson, General Manager of Infrastructure Services, reported that lab tests conducted by Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas confirmed water samples from the feeder main are safe to drink.
"This means we are able to begin the next steps to restore water service and eventually lift water restrictions," Thompson said.
The reconnection process is a carefully staged operation. Pumps were activated to begin a gradual introduction of water flow into the pipe. The system requires a 24-hour stabilization period after each major step. Additional pumps are scheduled to be activated on Thursday morning, initiating another 24-hour stabilization window.
The Path to Lifting Restrictions
The city's daily water use goal remains 485 million litres. On Tuesday, consumption was measured at 499 million litres, still above the target but showing continued public cooperation.
If the system remains stable through the multi-day reconnection and testing process, the city is optimistic about a Friday deadline. "If everything remains stable, we could lift restrictions by the end of the week," Thompson affirmed during the update from the Emergency Operations Centre.
The incident, which began with the feeder main break on January 12, 2026, has been a significant test of the city's infrastructure and emergency response. The potential lifting of restrictions by Friday would signal a successful conclusion to the immediate crisis, though long-term monitoring and a permanent repair will follow.
