Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has criticized the repeated failure of Calgary’s feeder main, emphasizing the need for better oversight. Smith suggested that the province may need to take on a supervisory role in managing the city’s water system. She pointed fingers at Naheed Nenshi, the former Calgary mayor and current provincial NDP leader, holding him politically accountable for the lack of proactive inspection of the feeder main post the 2013 floods.
In response, Nenshi dismissed Smith’s claims, labeling them as baseless accusations. He highlighted that there were no similar incidents during his tenure as mayor. The exchange between Smith and Nenshi underscored a broader debate on potential provincial intervention in Calgary’s water infrastructure.
Smith hinted at potential provincial oversight of the water system similar to that of other utilities like natural gas and electricity. She proposed the issuance of repair orders by the province and linking future funding to enhanced oversight of the water system. However, Kerry Black, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Calgary, argued that the city possesses the necessary expertise to manage its water system effectively.
The discussion also touched upon the issue of water loss through leaks in Calgary, with data indicating significant losses compared to other cities like Edmonton. Efforts are underway to update Calgary’s water efficiency plan to address these leakages. Mayor Jeromy Farkas has been advocating for an independent report on the recent water main break, with the council committed to implementing its recommendations. As the report’s findings are awaited, potential oversight measures by the provincial government remain under consideration.