Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed concerns over the recent water main break in Calgary, labeling it as a failure of oversight. Smith suggested that it may be necessary for the provincial government to take on a role in supervising the city’s water system. She attributed the blame for the infrastructure failure to Naheed Nenshi, the former mayor of Calgary from 2010 to 2021, stating that he should have taken more proactive steps to inspect the feeder main following the 2013 floods.
In response, Nenshi refuted Smith’s claims, dismissing them as baseless accusations. He highlighted the absence of any feeder main breaks during his tenure as mayor and criticized the government’s approach of shifting blame rather than addressing the issue constructively.
Smith indicated that the government is contemplating increased oversight of Calgary’s water system, similar to how they regulate other utilities like natural gas and electricity. This oversight could involve issuing repair directives as deemed necessary, with potential provincial funding contingent upon enhanced supervision of the water system.
Despite calls for increased provincial involvement, Kerry Black, an associate civil engineering professor at the University of Calgary, emphasized the city’s capability to manage its water system effectively. Black suggested that government funding should primarily support critical infrastructure upgrades rather than micromanaging municipal water systems.
Concerns over water loss through leaks in Calgary have further fueled discussions on the need for intervention. Data revealed significant water loss in Calgary compared to other cities like Edmonton, prompting considerations for improvements in the water efficiency plan to mitigate leaks.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas has been advocating for the release of an independent report on the recent water main break, with a commitment to implementing the report’s recommendations. Smith’s cabinet is awaiting the report’s findings to determine potential oversight measures to be implemented. The report is expected to be finalized and presented to the council next week for further deliberation.