January 14, 2026
RED FM News Desk
As crews continue repairs on Calgary’s latest water-main rupture, some city councillors are calling for accountability “at the top” over what they describe as decades of neglect in the city’s water infrastructure.
The calls follow the release of an independent panel review into the 2024 pipe break, which concluded that the Bearspaw feeder main—responsible for supplying about 60 per cent of Calgary’s drinking water—is in a “state of disrepair.”
Although the report stopped short of assigning blame to any individual, it found that the current problems facing Calgary’s water system stem from nearly 20 years of inadequate maintenance and oversight.
Several councillors say the findings point to the need for significant administrative changes within City Hall.
“We’ve heard a lot in these reports about culture and the need for a culture change,” said Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean. “If you want culture to change, then maybe it has to start at the top.”
McLean said while he supports ongoing efforts to repair and upgrade the system, residents are also demanding accountability.
“I’m glad we’re moving forward to fix things, but people also want to see accountability,” he said.
On Tuesday, a city committee reviewed a previously scheduled performance update for Calgary’s chief administrative officer as part of broader discussions on leadership and oversight following the water-main failures.
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