Former mayor Naheed Nenshi revealed that neither he nor the city council were aware of Calgary’s water system’s high-risk status in 2017 when the Bearspaw feeder main was identified for inspection. An independent review of the 2024 catastrophic break at Bearspaw highlighted that city officials had repeatedly advised inspections of the crucial water feeder main in 2017, 2019, and 2022. However, these inspections were consistently postponed, leading to a lack of crucial information and support for overseeing Calgary’s water system by multiple city councils.
Nenshi, who held the mayoral position from 2010 to 2021, expressed that he and the council were not informed in 2017 about Bearspaw being classified as high-risk. This lack of communication to key decision-makers was emphasized in a recent report, which Nenshi discussed on CBC Radio’s “The Calgary Eyeopener.”
The 2024 Bearspaw feeder main break resulted in prolonged water restrictions, similar to the recent catastrophic break that occurred last week, plunging Calgarians into another water crisis. The independent panel report disclosed systemic challenges within Calgary’s water system that dated back decades, with the Bearspaw risk initially identified after a pipe rupture in northeast Calgary in 2004, a fact Nenshi only became aware of in 2024 post his tenure.
Nenshi acknowledged a misstep during his administration by prioritizing growth and new pipeline construction over the maintenance of existing infrastructure. He admitted to the oversight and stressed the need for more thorough scrutiny by city council.
Moreover, the report underscored the city’s inadequate risk management, leading to essential information not reaching city council. The panel’s recommendations, including expediting the twinning of the Bearspaw main and forming a dedicated water utility department, were approved by the council.
Moving forward, the city administration, represented by David Duckworth, accepted responsibility for the emergency situation concerning Calgary’s water system. Duckworth pledged to implement the panel’s suggestions and emphasized the necessity for better communication and prioritization of infrastructure work in the city’s budget.
Former city councillor Brian Pincott and representative Druh Farrell echoed concerns about the city’s growth pressures affecting decision-making on infrastructure maintenance. The need for redundancy and enhanced communication within the administration to address critical issues proactively was emphasized.
As Calgary grapples with its water system challenges, the focus shifts to securing funding for essential infrastructure maintenance to ensure the city’s resilience as its population continues to expand.