October 15, 2026
Stage 4 water restrictions return November 4 while the new Bearspaw pipe is connected
Remember counting shower minutes? Here we go again, but this time it's planned, and it's the last big step.
Starting Tuesday, November 4, Calgary is back on Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions for about four weeks. Crews are connecting the new Bearspaw South Feeder Main to the water system. While they do, the old pipe has to be shut down and the city will rely mostly on one water treatment plant, which sharply limits how much water can go around.
The City sent this to community associations today. Our October 9 post explains the new pipe itself.
What Stage 4 means: no outdoor water use
From November 4, using City water outdoors is not allowed. That includes:
- No watering lawns, gardens, flowers, trees or shrubs.
- No washing down driveways, sidewalks, walkways, windows or the outside of buildings, unless it's needed for health and safety.
- No filling outdoor pools, hot tubs, fountains or decorative features.
- No washing vehicles outdoors, unless it's needed for health and safety.
- No water for construction, such as grading, compaction or dust control.
- No outdoor snow or ice making.
Please cut back indoors too
The City is also asking every home and business to use less water inside:
- Shorter showers, and turn the tap off while you brush your teeth or wash your hands.
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they're full.
- Fix running toilets and dripping taps.
What it means in Signal Hill
- The rink waits. No outdoor ice making means our volunteer crew can't start flooding the Signal Hill rink until the restrictions lift, around early December. We'll post the first flood date as soon as the City gives the all-clear.
- At the Community Centre, we'll put the City's save-water posters up in the washrooms and ask room renters to go easy on water.
- Running a business or program? The City has sector-specific tips at Save water at work →
What happens next
The restrictions start November 4 and last about four weeks, until the connection is done. The City will announce when they lift. After that, the new pipe takes over and Calgary's water supply should be far more reliable for years to come.