Some members of the Calgary city council are expressing doubts about the proposal for a city-owned corporation resembling Enmax to manage the water system in the future. This recommendation was put forth by an independent panel during a review of the significant break in Calgary’s Bearspaw feeder main in 2024, resulting in prolonged water restrictions. The panel advised consolidating water system oversight into a single department led by a chief operating officer, with eventual plans for it to become a municipally controlled corporation akin to Edmonton’s EPCOR or Calgary’s Enmax.
The panel highlighted issues of accountability leading to delayed inspections and maintenance within Calgary’s water system, proposing that a new corporation, wholly owned by the city and governed independently, would address these challenges. City council unanimously voted to commence work on implementing these recommendations, with Mayor Jeromy Farkas emphasizing the importance of not selectively implementing suggestions.
However, Coun. Andre Chabot criticized the idea of a separate corporation overseeing water, suggesting a unified city department with its own general manager as a more cost-effective and efficient approach. Concerns were also raised about potential rate hikes for residents if the Enmax-like model is adopted, prompting questions about the impact on water bills.
Some council members, like Coun. Rob Ward, supported the need for significant changes in water oversight, advocating for a standalone corporation to address the current governance issues. Ward 4 Coun. DJ Kelly, who campaigned on improving water infrastructure, emphasized the community’s desire for stable infrastructure and the need for a unified approach under one chief operating officer.
While different governance models were discussed, the focus remains on enhancing oversight and management of Calgary’s water system. The importance of listening to experts and ensuring adequate funding for maintenance was stressed by water science expert Monica Emelko. The consensus is that the new recommendations can be implemented without increasing water rates, emphasizing the significance of investing in maintaining the city’s water infrastructure.