Calgary faced a significant challenge last year as approximately 25% of its treated water supply was lost due to leaky pipes, prompting the city to launch a proactive initiative to combat this issue more effectively.
Despite the attention-grabbing Bearspaw feeder main break in June, which accounted for only 0.5% of the overall water loss in 2024, the city disclosed that water loss has been a persistent concern for decades. Data revealed by the city indicated that Calgary’s water loss exceeded 20% for at least five years, reaching a peak of 24% in 2019.
During discussions held by the council last year, it was estimated that an alarming 115 million liters of treated water escaped the distribution system daily, equivalent to filling 46 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Monica Bramley, the city’s utilities project development manager, emphasized that while water leaks are a national issue, Calgary’s water loss rate surpasses desirable levels.
Leak occurrences can stem from various factors such as corrosion, faulty valves, and fittings, along with potential issues on property owners’ premises contributing to water loss, Bramley explained. The target set by Alberta Municipalities for cities and towns to reduce water loss to 10% by 2027 underscores the urgency for remedial action.
In response, a third-party review recommended that Calgary adopt best practices utilized by other North American municipalities to manage water loss more efficiently. These recommendations have been integrated into the city’s new accelerated water loss program, involving enhanced leak detection, valve cycling, copper service replacements, and advanced metering infrastructure.
The accelerated water loss program encompasses a comprehensive strategy to address Calgary’s water loss, incorporating additional flow meters for better insight, deploying advanced metering infrastructure, intensifying water pipe leak surveys, and expediting pipe replacements. Progress has been notable this year with 7,800 meters of water mains replaced, with plans to boost replacements to 10,000 meters next year and further increases over the subsequent years.
Despite the vast network of over 5,400 kilometers of pipe posing a challenge in leak detection, Bramley highlighted the city’s commitment to addressing this issue diligently. Kerry Black, a civil engineering professor at the University of Calgary, emphasized the substantial costs associated with treating lost water and the importance of prioritizing water supply management.
Black noted that the Bearspaw feeder main incident prompted a shift in attitudes towards water conservation, compelling action from the city and raising awareness about the criticality of water resources. Highlighting cost limitations as a hurdle, Black drew comparisons with the oil and gas sector’s more stringent leak prevention measures.
Looking ahead, as water scarcity concerns escalate, Black anticipates an increasing trend towards implementing water loss mitigation strategies in cities, potentially drawing inspiration from Calgary’s proactive measures in combating water loss challenges.