Calgary water restrictions start Nov. 4 for about 4 weeks

Calgary will impose Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions citywide starting Nov. 4, 2026, for about four weeks while crews connect the new Bearspaw South Feeder Main, the city said in a news release Oct. 15.

No outdoor water use is permitted under Stage 4. Indoors, residents are asked to conserve by running dishwashers and laundry only when full, flushing toilets only when needed and keeping showers to about three minutes.

The existing feeder main must be temporarily shut down so the new pipe can be connected. While that happens, citywide water distribution drops to 500 million litres a day, and the city said it must stay below that level to keep enough water available for everyone, including for firefighting.

“The November connection is a significant phase of the project,” said Michael Thompson, the city’s chief operating officer for water. “We know Calgarians have already done a tremendous job reducing water use when needed.”

Neighbours in Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and the Tsuut’ina Nation are asked to save water indoors during the same period.

After the connection, crews will disinfect the new pipe, fill it with water and complete water quality testing, which the city said takes about two to three weeks. The project is on track to be fully operational by the end of 2026.

The release did not mention fines or penalties for breaking the restrictions.

Calgarians have been through this before. The city returned to water restrictions in March amid work on the pipe system, then lifted them after three weeks. Earlier, in January, the city lifted restrictions after a broken pipe was repaired.

Media inquiries can be directed to City of Calgary Media Relations at 403-828-2954. The full notice is on the City of Calgary newsroom.

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