Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed concerns over Calgary experiencing a second major break in the same feeder main within a short span of time, attributing it to a lack of proper oversight. She suggested that it may be necessary for the provincial government to take a more active role in supervising the city’s water infrastructure. Smith placed responsibility for the infrastructure failure on Naheed Nenshi, the former Calgary mayor and current leader of the provincial NDP, accusing him of not adequately inspecting the feeder main post the significant 2013 floods.
Nenshi refuted Smith’s claims, dismissing them as baseless, and highlighted that no such incidents occurred during his tenure as mayor. He criticized the government’s approach of shifting blame and seeking political advantage in crisis situations rather than offering constructive solutions.
Smith indicated that the government is contemplating increased oversight of Calgary’s water system, akin to how they monitor other utilities such as natural gas and electricity. This oversight could involve issuing repair directives and linking future funding to enhanced provincial supervision of the water system.
Contrary to Smith’s stance, Kerry Black, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Calgary, emphasized that the city possesses the requisite expertise to manage its water infrastructure effectively. Black suggested that government entities should focus on providing financial support for crucial infrastructure upgrades rather than intervening in operational matters.
Citing data revealing significant water losses due to leaks in Calgary, Smith argued for potential provincial intervention. The city’s water loss through leaks has exceeded 20% over the past five years, significantly higher than comparable municipalities like Edmonton. Calgary is currently revising its water efficiency plan to address leakage issues by implementing updated programs and technologies.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas has been advocating for the release of an independent report on the 2024 water main break, vowing to implement its recommendations. Smith’s cabinet is awaiting the report’s findings to determine the extent of oversight measures they may consider implementing. The report is expected to be finalized and presented to the council next week, with a review panel scheduled to present their conclusions at an upcoming council meeting.