Calgary's water infrastructure budget has been consistently underspent for years, according to data. This has raised concerns among city officials and residents alike, with Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson calling for more diligent spending. The city's capital water budget has ranged from just over $235 million in 2003 to about $627 million in 2009, but only 52-54% of these budgets were spent each year. The city has only come close to hitting its budget twice in the last two decades, in 2016 and 2024. This has led to a state of local emergency being declared in 2024 after a major water pipe rupture, and a second catastrophic failure the following year. The city is now aiming to complete a parallel steel pipe project by the end of 2026 to improve its water system. However, the city's infrastructure is in poor condition, with $18 billion of assets in need of repair, including bridges, roads, transit, and water pipes. This has led to a discussion around accountability and the reasons for underspending, with experts citing the complexity of planning and approval processes, staff capacity, and potential legal disputes as contributing factors. Despite these challenges, the city has made efforts to improve spending rates, with over 90% of the approved capital budget for water being spent in 2025, and plans to invest over $1.1 billion into water infrastructure this year.
