A Message from Councillor DJ Kelly
Water Restrictions Now in Effect (as of March 9)
As of Monday, March 9, 2026, the City of Calgary has implemented mandatory water restrictions while critical reinforcement work is completed on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a key piece of Calgary’s drinking water infrastructure.
- The Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which normally supplies approximately 60% of Calgary’s water, is temporarily unavailable for about four weeks while reinforcement work is completed.
- During this period, the City is relying primarily on the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant, which is operating at or near maximum capacity.
- No outdoor water use is permitted city‑wide, and indoor water conservation is required in order to maintain limited water supplies from the Glenmore Reservoir.
What This Means for Residents:
Residents are asked to reduce daily water use by approximately 25 litres per person to help keep the system stable.
Key actions include:
- No outdoor water use (lawns, gardens, washing vehicles, filling pools).
- Showers limited to three minutes or less.
- Flush toilets only when necessary.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
More practical tips for indoor water conservation are available at //calgary.ca/savewater.
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Important Guidance for Community Associations (Non‑Residential Users)
Community Associations play a critical leadership role during this period and are subject to the same restrictions as other businesses and organizations.
Community Associations are asked to:
- Suspend all outdoor water use, including irrigation of community green spaces, planters, sports fields, and community gardens (unless otherwise directed by the City).
- Turn off or isolate irrigation systems to prevent accidental use or leaks.
- Review indoor water use in halls, rinks, gyms, and meeting spaces:
- Post water‑saving reminders in washrooms and kitchens.
- Reduce frequency of toilet flushing where appropriate.
- Ensure dishwashers and laundry equipment are only used for full loads.
- Check for leaks in toilets, taps, boilers, ice machines, and water‑using appliances. Even small leaks can have a significant impact during this period.
The City has confirmed that businesses and organizations must actively manage their water use, as high non‑residential consumption can place the entire system at risk, including fire protection and water pressure city‑wide.
Resources specifically for organizations and businesses are available through the City’s water restriction guides at //calgary.ca/savewater.
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March 23 Public Hearing on Planning Matters
City Council will hold a Public Hearing Meeting of Council on Planning Matters beginning Monday, March 23, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., where Council will consider a proposed amendment related to the repeal of citywide residential rezoning and restoration of previous low‑density residential land use districts (Bylaw 9P2026, Item C2026‑0153).
Key details
- When: Monday, March 23, 2026, starting at 9:30 a.m. (expected to extend over multiple days)
- Where: Council Chamber, Municipal Building (800 Macleod Trail S.E.)
- Watch live: //calgary.ca/watchlive
- Agenda progress: //calgary.ca/agenda
How residents can participate
- Written public submissions must be received by the City Clerk no later than 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Residents can register to speak online at //calgary.ca/publicsubmissions or in person for the hearings starting on March 23.
- Speakers may participate in person or remotely, with up to five minutes per speaker.
- Translation services are available upon request during registration.
Additional information:
Councillor DJ Kelly
Ward 4, City of Calgary
