IMPORTANT NOTICE Re: Upcoming Stage 4 Water Restrictions

BILD Calgary Region Industry Update 2026 – 43

BILD Calgary Region is advising members of upcoming temporary water restrictions associated with the ongoing Bearspaw South Feeder Main project.

As construction progresses, The City of Calgary is preparing to connect the new feeder main to the existing water distribution system. This work is currently anticipated to begin in mid to late October and continue for approximately four weeks. During this period, Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions will be in effect across Calgary, together with a request for increased indoor water conservation.

Based on discussions with The City of Calgary, BILD understands that Airdrie, Tsuut’ina Nation, Chestermere, and the Town of Strathmore will be subject to similar water restriction requirements during this period.

Given the potential impact on active construction sites, landscaping activities and other operations, BILD encourages members to review the information below and plan accordingly for the restriction period.

Additional information and resources provided by The City of Calgary are also included below.

Understanding Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions

During Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions, no outdoor water use is permitted, including:

• No watering of lawns, gardens, flowers, trees or shrubs using City water;
• No washing down outdoor surfaces, including exterior building surfaces, windows, sidewalks, driveways or walkways, unless required by your business for health and safety reasons;
• No filling of outdoor decorative features, fountains, pools or hot tubs; and
• No use of City water for construction purposes such as grading, compaction or dust control.

Members are encouraged to review The City of Calgary’s Business Guide to Outdoor Water Restrictions for additional information and to ensure their operations are prepared for the restriction period.

Indoor Water Conservation

In addition to the outdoor water restrictions, The City is asking businesses and Calgarians to reduce non-essential indoor water use during this period.

BILD encourages members to review their operations in advance and identify opportunities to reduce non-essential water consumption without compromising health, safety, quality or regulatory requirements.

Further guidance for businesses on reducing water use is available at calgary.ca/savewateratwork.

For the latest information regarding water restrictions and conservation requirements, members are encouraged to visit calgary.ca/savewater.

Subdivision Utility Inspections

Considering the upcoming water restrictions, the below encompasses the framework for pressure testing newly constructed water mains, however, please note that flushing will not be permitted. This framework should not delay home building, rather it alters the sequencing of when a service connection is made.

• The City of Calgary will allow potable water from the system to be used for pressure testing only – chlorination and flushing will not be permitted.
• Once Stage 4 Restrictions are lifted and direction has been provided by The City of Calgary – any impacted watermains are to be chlorinated, flushed and sampled as per City of Calgary specifications.
  • Scheduling for flushing and sampling will need to be coordinated with the assigned area Utility Inspector to ensure their availability.

• Lot Servicing:
  • Installation of services may be completed without initial chlorination.
  • Service pigtails will not be required to be brought to the surface.
  • Services cannot be connected to a dwelling until the watermain has been chlorinated, flushed and sampled as per City of Calgary specifications.
  • If you are working in a municipality on the Calgary regional water system, you must work with them directly to confirm their reservoirs, and system can manage the water draw.
  • The City of Calgary will allow potable water to be used to keep positive pressure on watermains during tapping of new services as per City of Calgary Standard Specifications Waterworks Construction.

Sewer CCTV Video Survey

• The City of Calgary will not permit the use of potable water from the system for flushing of sewer mains or maintaining a baseflow for CCTV video processing.

Landscape Construction

Contractors are encouraged to plan ahead by securing Temporary Diversion Licsences (TDLs) in advance, enabling them to fill water trucks at water courses such at Bow and Elbow rivers, and Fish and Nose creeks. Historically, Bow and Elbow rivers are minimally affected by drought-related limits, and can provide relatively consistent sources during Stage 4 restrictions. An informative sheet with links is further below.

Please note that the Proof of Landowner Consent needed for applications requiring access via City land can be provided by your Parks Development Inspector or Project Coordinator if needed and determined to be appropriate access.

Use of non-potable water and appropriate signage

Storm ponds still under Developer control can be used for pumping at the Developer’s discretion. Using non-potable water in parks accessible to the public requires signage stating it, as water from rivers and storm ponds can be contaminated. Signs were provided to Contractors by the City Inspectors in 2024, and BILD understands that the City of Calgary still has these signs if needed, for both installation on site and being affixed to water trucks.

Appropriate signage stating sites are under construction can also improve optics during Stage 3 & 4 water restrictions when some potable water use is permitted for sites being actively built. Please note that sites in their maintenance period with spot repairs being done are not considered under active construction.

Additional testing of water pulled from stormwater retention ponds is recommended prior to landscaping use, as the salt content in the water may be higher than other non-potable sources and can adversely impact plant material.

Please contact your site’s Parks Inspector or Project Coordinator should you have any questions.

Useful Links:

Understanding outdoor water restrictions Lists the phases and the restrictions with each. Refer to the last line titled “Water use for construction” for all non-FAC’d sites that are underway or have newly installed plant material.

https://www.alberta.ca/digital-regulatory-assurance-system TDL application and information about Provincial regulations.

Conclusion

BILD encourages members to plan ahead for these temporary restrictions and consider any adjustments that may be required to construction, landscaping and other water-dependent activities. Early planning will help minimize potential impacts to projects and operations during the restriction period.

BILD will continue to remain engaged with The City of Calgary and share relevant updates with members as additional information becomes available.

Should you have questions for BILD, please reach out to me at m.mohamad@bildcr.com

Thank you,

Mohamad Mohamad

m.mohamad@bildcr.com