Calgary’s water problems go deeper than latest break

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Calgary’s mayor recently commended residents for their efforts to reduce water consumption as repairs continue.

During a morning conference Sunday, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said consumption hit an all-time low of 438 million litres, marking the lowest levels since the water feeder main break on June 5.

“We used 438 million litres of water (yesterday), which is better than what we hoped to achieve,” Gondek said. “That means that we have enough water stored to meet demand and also protect ourselves in case of any emergencies.”

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In an afternoon update, city officials reported that a robotic inspection of the Bearspaw South Feedermain found no additional issues, and that repairs to the section that caused the original pipe failure are also finished.

But despite recent developments, Calgary’s recent water main break may be evidence of a larger structural issue that costs the city millions of dollars each year, according to data from SmartAcqua Solutions, a technology company focused on non-revenue water.

According to SmartAcqua, the estimated water loss from Calgary’s water main breach on June 5 was about 19,853,933 gallons per hour, costing the city between $213,857 and $427,715.

The company uses a water loss calculator to estimate the recent leak based on the initial size of the hole and the time it took the crew to stop the water flow. However, more recent developments show further damage to the pipe system.

Micheal Montanaro from SmartAcqua says the actual water loss is likely much higher. Additionally, the leak may have been ongoing for years without detection, as the city only identifies non-revenue water leaks when reported by the public.

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According to the city’s website, the average water use in Calgary was approximately 350 litres per person per day in 2023. However, Water Online estimates that 20 to 30 per cent of this water is regularly lost due to leaks and aging infrastructure, as per the national average.

The 2019 Canada Infrastructure Report Card says that 30 per cent of Canada’s water and wastewater infrastructure is in fair or worse condition.

Multiple water main breaks have occurred in Calgary this year, including in the Eau Claire Market Area, Riverbend, Southview, Mayland, Montgomery, and Bowness neighbourhoods. SmartAcqua claims that the province’s water system needs upgrades and better management due to the strain from Alberta’s growing population.

According to Statistics Canada, Alberta saw the largest population growth of any province in 2023. The province’s population grew by 3.2 per cent, reaching 4,769,890 as of Jan. 1, 2024, the highest spike since 1957.

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Montanaro said effective water management isn’t just about preventing the next breach; it’s about creating a reliable system that sustainably supports the growing population.

However, the Alberta government has been slow to adopt advanced technologies, implement transparent planning and establish independent auditing ensure accountable resource use.

“Canada is far behind on this issue,” said Montanaro. “It’s the ineffectiveness of the city and the ineffectiveness of the government, especially the people in charge of water, to implement regulations and force them to employ [new] technology.”

“The cost that’s not mentioned is the cost to society, the cost to the city,” he said. “Water is a must. And to tell people that you can’t shower, you can’t do this. It’s a disaster.”

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