City of Calgary officials lifted a boil water advisory Sunday night, hours before many in Alberta’s largest city return to work and school Monday morning.
“Water may now be used and safely consumed as boiling is no longer required,” a City of Calgary statement reads.
Advisories had been in place for close to 3,000 people in Parkdale, Montgomery, Point McKay and West Hillhurst since Dec. 30, when the Bearspaw South Feeder Main ruptured.
Water tests, adds the statement, confirmed that the water in the northwest communities met “all health guidelines and standards.”
The boil water advisory became necessary after a major water main, which supplies 60 per cent of the treated water for 1.6 million Calgarians, ruptured Tuesday night for a second time in a year and a half.
The pipeline burst flooded roads near Canada Olympic Park, stranding 13 people in eight vehicles.
City asks residents to conserve water
Despite lifting the advisory, stage 4 water restrictions remain in place as crews work to repair the feeder main break near 16 Avenue in the city’s northwest.
“It is imperative,” reads the news release, “that Calgarians continue to conserve water, so demand does not outstrip supply.”
On Saturday, Calgary’s water use crept up to 495 million litres, which the city says was above the 485 million-litre goal.
“The first Monday of 2026 is expected to mark a return to work and school for many Calgarians. We’re continuing to remind everyone to adjust their water use habits and help conserve our water system,” Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Susan Henry said in a news release Sunday.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, in a X post on Monday, wrote that overnight, the city “slipped further” into the “red zone,” meaning water use had become unsustainable.
“Without changes, we’ll enter loss-of-life territory, where firefighting and emergency response may be compromised. This is serious,” Farkas wrote.
“Reducing use now protects lives and keeps essential services running. Please conserve.”
City officials caution homeowners who have not used their water system in the past 24 hours to flush their system before use.
Traffic near burst water pipleine still restricted
Traffic around the construction areas remains slow.
The city reopened a single eastbound lane on 16 Ave N.W. east of Sarcee Trail N.W. Access to eastbound 16 Ave N.W. from Sarcee has also reopened.
Westbound traffic along 16 Avenue N.W. between 49 Street and Sarcee Trail N.W.
The city advises drivers to use alternative routes when travelling near the construction.
— With files from Canadian Press