By The Canadian Press

Calgary water main repaired but restrictions remain until testing done, city says

Jan 9, 2026 | 4:49 PM

CALGARY — The City of Calgary says it has finished repairs on a disastrous water main break but testing still needs to be done before it’s fully operational again.

The city, in an update Friday, said residents are still being asked to reduce their water use until the testing is complete, which is expected to take several days.

It said the pipe, which carries approximately 60 per cent of the water for the city of 1.6 million, needs to be slowly filled back up and the water has to be tested for quality.

“There is no guarantee against another break once the pipe is returned to service,” the city said, adding that work began elsewhere in the city to protect certain areas from flooding should it break again.

“Crews are clearing catch basins, opening river outflows and adjusting manhole covers to improve drainage in multiple areas.”

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The city also said two sections of a flood berm along the Bow River near where the water main ruptured is being removed in the event of another break, as it would allow water to flood into the river.

It said work has begun on repairing the significant road damage caused by last week’s flood, which trapped drivers and required, in some cases, rescues via inflatable rafts.

It was the second time in two years the water main had suffered a major rupture, causing officials to again plead with residents to take shorter showers and flush their toilets fewer times so water is available for emergency services such as firefighting.

The city said water use has been too high nearly every day since the pipe broke, with Thursday’s usage again totalling more than 500 million litres. The city has said daily usage of less than 485 million litres is sustainable.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas said on social media Friday that beyond emergency services, such high water use limited Calgary’s “ability to produce treated water, refill underground reservoirs overnight and move water to everyone.”

“We continue to ask Calgarians and businesses to take action to reduce their water consumption,” Farkas said.

The city’s update Friday said for every minute saved on a shower, Calgarians could save up to eight litres. Flushing the toilet three fewer times could save up to 18 litres of water.

A report issued this week on the previous rupture in 2024 blamed decades of underinvestment, as well as deferred inspection and maintenance projects.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 9, 2026.

— By Jack Farrell in Edmonton

The Canadian Press