Calgary to Return to Stage 4 Water Restrictions as Feeder Main Repairs Near Completion

Calgary will return to the highest level of water restrictions next month as construction of the city’s largest feeder main, which has broken twice since 2024, nears completion.

Starting Nov. 4, Calgarians will again be required to follow Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions, while also being asked to take steps to conserve water indoors.

In a public notice, the City of Calgary said all outdoor water use will be prohibited, with limited exceptions, for approximately four weeks. Violations could result in fines starting at $3,000.

The restrictions prohibit watering lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs by any method, cleaning outdoor building surfaces, and filling outdoor pools and hot tubs. Exceptions include indoor car washes, watering plants for commercial sale or donation, using water for livestock, and watering edible crops such as vegetable gardens.

The city is also asking Calgarians to conserve water indoors by running washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads, taking showers of three minutes or less, and flushing toilets only when needed. It notes that skipping five flushes saves about 25 litres of water. Residents are also encouraged to turn off water softeners and humidifiers.

“I know everyone is tired of these restrictions,” said Calgary mayor Jeromy Farkas, in a video posted on X Oct. 29. “We’re asking Calgarians to do it one more time.”

The wire damage led to a critical loss of the pipe’s ability to withstand the water pressure from within, leading to a structural rupture.

The city said in August that daily water use exceeding 500 million litres places added strain on the system, potentially reducing water available for firefighting, disrupting treatment plant operations, lowering water pressure, or necessitating a city-wide boil-water advisory.

Over 1.3 million Calgarians will be affected by the restrictions.