Firefighters stage at the side of a flooded highway as a broken water main, centre, near an abandoned car spews water onto the other lanes in Calgary, Alta., in a Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Ian Royer (Mandatory Credit)
Firefighters stage at the side of a flooded highway as a broken water main, centre, near an abandoned car spews water onto the other lanes in Calgary, Alta., in a Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Ian Royer (Mandatory Credit)
CALGARY - Officials in Calgary are urging residents to save water by taking shorter showers after a major water main broke for the second time in less than two years.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas says the Bearspaw South Feeder Main remains "very much in the red zone" after it ruptured on Dec. 30, and the city is using more water than it can produce and store.
Chris Huston, Calgary's manager for drinking water distribution, says the city of 1.6 million people needs to use below 485 million litres of water every day for several weeks.
Huston says Calgarians can do their part and save 10 to 30 litres per day by showering for three minutes instead of 10 Â and only running their washing machines or dishwashers when they are full.Â
Nicole Newton, director of climate and environment, says the city hasn't seen a "measurable reduction" in water use since the rupture.
Michael Thompson, general manager of infrastructure services, says it's not clear why the water main broke for the second time after the first break in the summer of 2024 prompted months of water restrictions and advisories.
 This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published Jan. 1, 2026.
