Chestermere households are being asked to prepare for another period of water conservation beginning Nov. 4, when work to connect Calgary’s replacement Bearspaw South feeder main will reduce the region’s available supply.
Calgary announced Oct. 15 that Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions and indoor conservation measures are expected to last approximately four weeks. Its request to save water includes Chestermere, Airdrie, Strathmore and Tsuut’ina Nation.
For residents, the indoor guidance is straightforward: keep showers to about three minutes, wait until dishwashers and washing machines are full, and flush toilets only when necessary. Indoor reductions are requested conservation measures, distinct from mandatory outdoor restrictions.
Chestermere receives treated drinking water from Calgary, making work on the larger system a local concern. The city’s water supply passes through an underground reservoir before entering its distribution network.
Crews must temporarily shut down the existing feeder main to connect the replacement pipe. Calgary says that will limit the amount of water it can distribute to 500 million litres daily, with demand needing to remain below that level to protect essential services, including firefighting.
During the shutdown, the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant is expected to provide approximately 80 per cent of the city and region’s supply. Bearspaw’s plant will contribute the remaining share through other distribution infrastructure.
The connection does not immediately put the new main into operation. Crews must disinfect it, fill it and complete water quality testing before it enters service.
Calgary says the project remains on schedule to be operational by the end of 2026. Commissioning is expected in December, and restrictions are not currently anticipated during that phase.
Residents have already experienced restrictions associated with the troubled main. Chestermere lifted an earlier round on Jan. 16. Its March 17 council update confirmed the community was again following Stage 4 regional restrictions during reinforcement work. January notice, March council update
Until the replacement enters service, Calgary says the existing main will remain in use and another break remains possible. Residents and businesses are being advised to remain prepared for restrictions and conservation requests.
Updated schedules and water-saving guidance are available through Calgary’s Bearspaw South feeder main project webpage