Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has publicly blamed former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi for the city’s ongoing water system failures, saying years of neglect under his leadership contributed to the latest crisis.
The Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which delivers about 60% of Calgary’s treated water, ruptured for the second time in less than two years, flooding streets and forcing thousands of residents to adhere to water restrictions. Some areas remain under boil-water advisories, and city officials are urging continued conservation.
“This is not just an accident, it’s the result of years of insufficient maintenance and inspections under the previous administration,” Smith said in a statement. “Calgarians deserve safe, reliable water, and the provincial government may now need to take a more active role to ensure infrastructure is properly maintained.”
Naheed Nenshi, who served as Calgary’s mayor from 2010 to 2021 and now leads the Alberta NDP, strongly rejected the allegations. “These claims are baseless political attacks,” Nenshi said. “During my time as mayor, Calgary maintained rigorous inspection schedules, and there were no major water main failures of this magnitude.”
City officials confirmed the rupture caused significant disruptions in several neighborhoods, with crews working around the clock to repair the feeder main. Authorities also emphasized that residents should limit water use in showers, laundry, and irrigation until the system stabilizes.
The incident has ignited a political debate over municipal and provincial responsibility for critical infrastructure. Experts warn that Calgary’s water system, much of which is aging, may require long-term investment to prevent recurring failures.
“This is a wake-up call for both the city and the province,” said water infrastructure consultant Dr. Lara Henderson. “The repeated failure of a major feeder main shows the importance of proactive maintenance, monitoring, and planning for population growth and climate pressures.”
For Calgary residents, the crisis is more than a political debate, it’s a daily challenge, with households adjusting to reduced water pressure and conservation rules. City leaders say repairs could take several weeks, and additional inspections are planned to prevent future disruptions.
