City of Calgary Begins Bearspaw South Feeder Main Inspection This Week

City of Calgary has started a proactive inspection of an important section of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main as part of continued efforts to protect water infrastructure and maintain long term reliability across Calgary.

The inspection focuses on a section of pipeline running from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to the 33 Avenue northwest pump station. Officials say this part of the feeder main is made of steel and was not included in the major 2024 inspections that examined prestressed concrete cylinder pipe sections.

To complete the assessment, the city is using a robotic PipeDiver device, an advanced inspection tool designed to travel through live water pipelines while they remain full and operational.

The PipeDiver uses ultrasonic technology to measure the thickness of pipe walls and identify any early signs of weakness or deterioration. Because the device operates while water continues flowing through the system, city officials expect no interruption to regular water service during the inspection.

The robotic unit will take approximately two hours to travel through the two kilometre section of pipe while collecting detailed infrastructure data.

Results from the inspection are expected within about one month. That information will help engineers determine future maintenance priorities and long term infrastructure planning.

City officials emphasize that no water restrictions are currently planned during this inspection process. However, they also note that if any unexpected issue is discovered, temporary short term restrictions could be introduced to reduce water demand while the feeder main remains under assessment.

Residents are being encouraged to stay informed through official city communication channels and local updates as the inspection progresses.

The city is also reminding residents to remain mindful of seasonal water use as warmer weather approaches.

As spring and summer demand increases, officials recommend practical conservation measures such as collecting rainwater for lawns and gardens instead of using treated drinking water.

Through the city’s rebate initiative, residents can receive financial support for purchasing rain barrels that help reduce outdoor water demand.

This latest inspection reflects lessons learned from previous feeder main challenges and demonstrates a stronger emphasis on early detection, prevention, and infrastructure resilience.

Reliable water delivery remains one of the most critical municipal services, and proactive inspection technology is increasingly becoming part of Calgary’s long term infrastructure strategy.

Courtesy: The City of Calgary Newsroom