Calgary city councillors are expecting to be briefed on Thursday morning about Alberta’s report on the handling of the city’s water system, CTV News has learned. The report comes months after the provincial government pledged a formal inspection of the city’s response to the beleaguered Bearspaw South feeder main. Problems with pipe began in June 2024 when a massive rupture caused weeks of water restrictions for the city. The pipe burst again last December, prompting the latest set of repairs. Calgary is currently under Stage 4 water restrictions as city crews complete repairs to the pipe. The investigation, which will assess how the City of Calgary manages, administers and oversees its water infrastructure systems, was first announced earlier this year after the city commissioned an independent review of its water infrastructure. That report blamed the water system’s fragility on deferred maintenance. The province’s report is expected to draw on thousands of city documents — including records from closed-door meetings — as well as testimony from past and current councillors. Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams said the province’s aim was to ensure Calgary’s 1.6 million residents have a safe, reliable water system when the review was announced. Williams is also set to speak at a Calgary Chamber of Commerce late Thursday morning, according to the chamber’s website.
