The City of Calgary is urging residents to make a significant commitment to water conservation as a serious water supply crisis continues. In a direct appeal to the public, officials are asking every Calgarian to reduce their daily toilet flushes by three.
Emergency Repairs Underway on Critical Infrastructure
This urgent call to action comes as crews work tirelessly to repair a major water main break. The incident occurred along 16 Avenue N.W. in Calgary. Repair work has been ongoing since the break was discovered on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
The city released a handout photo showing crews at the repair site, highlighting the scale of the problem. This break has severely strained the municipal water system, prompting the province to issue an emergency notice. Calgary is now officially under a water supply alert.
The Ripple Effects of a Water Shortage
The request for three fewer flushes per person is a stark measure indicating the severity of the shortage. While it may seem like a small individual action, the collective impact across a city of over 1.3 million people is substantial. Every litre conserved helps maintain pressure in the system and ensures water is available for essential services like hospitals and firefighting.
The crisis has pushed water resource management to the forefront of civic concern. Residents are being asked to scrutinize all domestic water use, but the focus on toilet flushing—a major source of indoor water consumption—is a key part of the strategy.
A Broader Context of Challenges
This water crisis emerges amid other provincial issues, including updated flu statistics indicating 110 flu deaths over the 2025-26 season in Alberta. The situation in Calgary underscores the vulnerability of urban infrastructure and the immediate impact such failures have on daily life and public health directives.
The city's response, combining emergency infrastructure repair with a clear public conservation campaign, is a critical test of municipal management during a prolonged utility emergency. The success of the repair efforts and public compliance with conservation measures will determine how quickly the city can return to normal water service levels.
For now, Calgarians are reminded that every flush counts. The city's appeal emphasizes shared responsibility and immediate action to navigate this ongoing water supply emergency.
