Calgary Water Restrictions 2026

Calgary City Council approved a mandatory year-round outdoor watering schedule on April 29, 2026, voting 10-5 as part of the 2026 Water Efficiency Plan. This is NOT a drought restriction — it is a permanent bylaw change under the Water Utility Bylaw (40M2006). The schedule allows sprinkler and irrigation watering up to 3 days per week for up to 45 hours per week total, during cooler overnight and morning hours (7 PM to 10 AM) to reduce evaporation. The plan targets a 20% reduction in per-capita water demand by 2040. Calgary's water security is under pressure due to limited supply, rapid population growth, and aging infrastructure. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main — which carries 60% of all treated water — has required 3 emergency shutdowns in the past 2 years, including a December 2025 burst through a major roadway. The city lost 22% of its treated water to leaks in 2024. Enforcement takes an education-first approach — the city has stated it will not be 'draconian' in early enforcement. The plan also invests $354 million over 4 years in leak detection and pipe renewal, and accelerates water metre replacement. Exemptions: newly planted trees, shrubs and sod, and food-producing crops (vegetable gardens) are exempt from the schedule. Water Managed Sites (WMS) with certified smart irrigation systems have greater flexibility under Stage 1 if drought restrictions are ever called separately. Several surrounding municipalities (Airdrie, Okotoks, Cochrane, Chestermere, Strathmore) already have similar mandatory schedules. Calgary is catching up to regional norms.