Calgary faced a significant water loss issue last year, losing nearly a quarter of its treated water supply due to leaky pipes. To address this challenge, the city has initiated a program aimed at tackling the problem more efficiently.
Although the Bearspaw feeder main break in June caused a major incident, it only contributed to 0.5% of the overall 22% water loss in 2024, as reported by the city. This ongoing issue has persisted for years, with data indicating that Calgary has consistently experienced water losses exceeding 20%, peaking at 24% in 2019.
During discussions last year, the city estimated that approximately 115 million liters of treated water leak from its distribution system daily, equivalent to filling 46 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Monica Bramley, the city’s utilities project development manager, highlighted that water leaks can stem from various factors such as corrosion, leaky valves, and fittings, including potential issues on property owners’ sides contributing to the problem.
In response to the challenge, Alberta Municipalities has set a target for cities and towns to reduce water loss to 10% by 2027. To achieve this, Calgary has implemented an accelerated water loss program based on recommendations from a third-party review. The program includes enhanced leak detection, valve cycling, proactive copper service replacements, and advanced metering infrastructure, among other measures.
The city is intensifying efforts to understand and mitigate water loss by deploying additional flow meters, advancing metering infrastructure, and increasing surveillance of water pipes for leaks, promptly addressing any identified issues. Moreover, Calgary is expediting the replacement of pipes, aiming to replace 7,800 meters of water mains this year, with plans to escalate replacements to 10,000 meters next year and further increases in the following years.
Despite the challenges posed by managing a vast network of over 5,400 kilometers of pipes, the city remains committed to addressing the issue. The importance of preserving water resources is underscored by Kerry Black, a civil engineering professor at the University of Calgary, who emphasized the high costs associated with treating water lost through leaks.
Black noted that the recent Bearspaw feeder main incident has catalyzed a shift in prioritizing water supply concerns in Calgary, prompting stronger actions to combat water loss. However, she highlighted cost constraints as a significant barrier, contrasting the resources allocated to preventing leaks in the oil and gas sector versus water treatment programs.
Looking ahead, as water scarcity becomes a more pressing global issue, Black anticipates that cities will increasingly adopt water loss mitigation strategies, potentially drawing inspiration from Calgary’s efforts in addressing this critical challenge.