On June 5, 2024, the Bearspaw south feeder main in northwest Calgary, suffered a major and disastrous break. The main is a critical water supply line for the entire city with the break resulting in a local state of emergency, city-wide restrictions on water usage and serious concerns about the city's potable water supply. An investigation into the break was conducted and a report issued last November that found several different factors may have contributed to the failure. The preliminary findings were microcracking along the protective mortar outer layer of the pipe; high chloride levels in the soil at various locations and snapped wires following corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement. Now, the City of Calgary has announced five industry experts from across Canada will participate as panel members for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main Independent Review. In a press release, the city identified them as: Michael J. Crothers, retired president and country chair of Shell Canada; Gordon M. Engbloom, retired consultant with Confer Consulting Ltd; Nancy F. Foster, retired executive with Husky Energy; Bob B. Kerr, retired environment, socioeconomic and human rights manager with ExxonMobil Corporation; and Stephen Stanley, retired executive from EPCOR Utilities Inc. .They join Siegfried Kiefer, the Independent Review’s Panel chair, in examining all aspects of the city’s water utility systems, including water, wastewater and stormwater. “I am pleased that these remarkable and talented people have agreed to join me in undertaking this very important review,” says Kiefer. “The panel represents in total, over 200 years of industry leadership experience with the breadth and depth to conduct a truly comprehensive objective and meaningful review of our water utility system to ensure that Calgarians have reliable, affordable, and sustainable water services into the future.” “The panel will look at our water utility systems in all areas of its operations and maintenance, asset management, assurance and risk management, planning, design and engineering, budget and financing, governance, and organization responsibility.” Kiefer worked closely with the volunteer advisory group, comprised of three community leaders: Dawn Farrell, Wayne Stensby, and Dr. Edward McCauley, to select the panel members, according to the city. “With the panel fully in place, a terms of reference established and mandate finalized, they will now begin the review,” says Kiefer. “Calgarians can expect a full report, including findings and recommendations, from the panel by the end of 2025. .The city’s Chief Administrative Officer David Duckworth, called for the review to learn from the feeder main break, confirm the long-term and reliable delivery of water to Calgarians, and enhance public trust and confidence in the city’s water utility system. “To ensure the panel receives all the necessary information to conduct a thorough independent review, the city has established a dedicated liaison and secretariat team,” says the city’s release. More information is available on the city’s website.
