UCP government launches formal inspection of City of Calgary’s response to the Bearspaw feeder main breaks

The Alberta government will conduct a formal inspection of the City of Calgary's response to the two Bearspaw feeder main breaks in June 2024 and December 2025. (File)

The provincial government will be taking a hard look at how the City of Calgary managed the two Bearspaw South feeder main breaks in less than two years.

Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams says his office will be conducting a formal inspection of the city’s response to the incidents that occurred in June 2024 and December 2025.

“Given the recurring nature of this situation and the severe impact it is having on the daily lives of Calgarians and surrounding communities, all of whom rely on a safe, reliable water system to support their families and businesses, I believe an inspection is necessary,” Williams said.

“This decision was not taken lightly.”

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The investigation was first announced earlier this year, when the province compelled Calgary to turn over thousands of documents — including records from closed-door meetings.

Williams has said the review is about ensuring Calgary’s 1.6 million residents have a safe and reliable water system.

Officials say the inspection will assess how the City of Calgary manages, administers and oversees its water infrastructure systems.

Its goal is to determine where “additional provincial direction or corrective action is required.”

Williams said the inspection will be led by David Goldie, who has more than 40 years experience in technical, operational and governance roles across the province.

The inspection will review tens of thousands of documents the province acquired from the City of Calgary.

It is expected to take several months to complete, with findings expected sometime in the fall.

Previous review pointed to decades of underinvestment

The provincial investigation follows an independent review commissioned by the City of Calgary after last year’s massive rupture.

That panel concluded the system’s fragility likely built up over decades and said warning signs may have dated back to another significant water main break in 2004.

The report found inspections and maintenance were deferred over the years in favour of other priorities.

However, the panel said no single council or staff member appeared to fully understand the scope of the problem at the time.

Williams questioned about priority

During the Friday availability, Williams was asked why his ministry was taking such a strong approach for this inspection, handing Goldie the tools needed to compel government officials to testify under oath and provide any other evidence as needed.

The same powers were not granted to former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant when he was instructed to investigate the government’s conduct over health-care contracts.

“This is about transparency and accountability,” Williams said.

“It’s a normal power that we have in these situations. We have given this inspector the power to get to the bottom of things.”

When asked about the comparison between the two investigations, Williams said when it comes to municipal affairs, “Calgarians would agree this is a crisis.”

“It is a failure of the most core and basic services of a municipality,” he said.

“I don’t have many other tools. It’s a serious tool and this is the normal one that would be used.”

Repairs ongoing as restrictions remain in place

Meanwhile, crews continue working to stabilize the Bearspaw South feeder main.

Workers recently discovered valve issues on an older section of pipe near 33 Avenue N.W.

Work there was expected to be minor and begin next week, but crews started earlier and now expect it to last about 10 days.

Calgary remains under water restrictions while repairs continue.

“These small steps are helping us get through this, and I’m truly grateful to each and every one of you who has stepped up and is helping our city deliver,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas while thanking residents for reducing water use.

• Water-main work on schedule despite discovery of valves needing additional repairs
• Calgarians stay below usage threshold on first day of water restrictions
• Calgary returns to water restrictions for feeder main repairs

City officials say water demand remains in the “green safe zone,” with usage sitting at about 489 million litres Thursday.

They estimate roughly three-and-a-half weeks remain in the current phase of repair work.

The formal inspection has an expected cost of $1.2 million, which will be paid by William’s office.

With files from Damien Wood