Calgarians have mixed reactions to ongoing water restrictions amid feeder main crisis

As water use remains high, some say it's tough to cut down. Others say it's crucial to work together to get through another crisis.

As City of Calgary officials stress the urgency of water conservation, reaction to the restrictions has been mixed from some residents.

For some it’s tough to make drastic changes around water consumption especially because the last water disaster occurred in the summer of 2024.

Others say its crucial the community pulls together.

Hannah Wilson’s baby Henry sometimes gets bottles of breast milk, which means there is lots dishwashing for the new mom.

“You can’t really be letting these things sit, you really have to make sure they are soapy and water and all clean because he could get infected,” she said.

Even as people are trying to cut back on water use, some Calgarians say they are feeling tapped out by the ongoing feeder main failure.

“I feel like we’ve known about the water shortage or crisis here for a long time. After (a while), it gets repetitive, it gets to be a bit more tedious,” said Dean, who did not wish to leave his last name.

Still, other residents say they are being extra conservative with their water use out of a sense of community spirit.

“I believe we all have a role in this city. We all have an important job to do as citizens of Calgary,” said Carinne Coutts.

There’s a growing list of water restrictions to bring the water supply back to a sustainable level.

In addition to limiting toilet flushes, keeping showers under three minutes, and running only full loads to clean dishes and laundry, now city recreation centres are closing steam rooms.

Signs are posted in facilities’ showers to encourage shorter showers.

Wave pools and slide times have also been shortened.

Commercial indoor car wash businesses are not under restrictions as the city says they recycle 85 per cent of their water.

Express urgency

Some communications experts say the city could do even more to express urgency and increase compliance.

“We only recently started seeing the reason why it is not sustainable is because it will affect fire response in this city. I think that’s a really clear line to draw,” said Sabrina Grover, communications strategists with North Star Public Affairs.

Fire officials say the situation is a matter of life and death.

“Absolutely if water is compromised. That’s going affect our tactic going into an incident, and possibly making decisions that we don’t want to make,” said Jamie Blayney, president of the Calgary Fire Fighters Association.