Independent inspector David Goldie’s report identifies long-standing systemic weaknesses in the city’s governance, infrastructure risk management, accountability and capital project delivery. The inspection examined events dating back to 2004, including concerns identified in a 2015–16 review of Calgary’s Water Utility (Raftelis Financial Review of Utilities). The report includes 20 recommendations addressing the management and oversight of Calgary’s water system.

Key findings of the inspection

Goldie’s report found that the feeder main failures exposed broader weaknesses in how the city identified infrastructure risks, made decisions, assigned accountability and delivered planned work. The inspection identified several significant findings:

Information provided to council  

  • The former mayor, Naheed Nenshi, and his chief of staff received an advance briefing on the draft-final Raftelis report with all its recommendations, but the full report and a majority of the recommendations were not subsequently provided to Calgary City Council.
    • Five of nine priority recommendations from the Raftelis report were never presented to council, including recommendations related to financial accountability and independent expert governance.
    • These five missing recommendations were nearly identical to the 2024 Bearspaw South Feeder Main Independent Review Panel recommendations.

Capital project delivery and investment in capital maintenance

  • Between 2006 and 2024, actual capital expenditures averaged approximately 35 per cent below approved budgets. The inspector found that the sustained gap between planned and completed capital work increased long-term infrastructure risks and likely contributed to deterioration.
    • Between 2016 and 2020, Calgary’s Water Utility capital expenditures averaged 46 per cent below the national average.

Governance and accountability

  • The city’s governance system did not consistently bring together information about infrastructure condition, service reliability, financial capacity, capital project delivery and risks to support decision-making.

Infrastructure risk management

  • Previous reviews and assessments identified risks related to the feeder main, but the city did not consistently translate those findings into timely inspections, funded work or corrective action.

The report acknowledges measures the city has already begun implementing, including establishing a Water Utility Oversight Board and appointing an acting chief operating officer. The inspector notes that the effectiveness of these changes will depend on whether they lead to clearer decisions, greater accountability, more transparent reporting and measurable reductions in infrastructure risk.

David Goldie was appointed inspector under the Municipal Government Act in March following two significant failures of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, on June 5, 2024, and Dec. 30, 2025. These failures disrupted Calgarians and neighbouring communities that rely on Calgary’s water system. The inspection focused on the management, administration and operations of the City of Calgary with respect to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. The inspector was given a mandate to examine the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in governance and oversight of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, including records, decision-making, information flow, accountability and the implementation of previous recommendations. The final inspection report was provided to the province in October.

“This was an independent inspection, and it is important that I approach its findings with an open mind. I will give the report the careful consideration it deserves as I make a decision about any potential directives for the city.”

Dan Williams, Minister of Municipal Affairs

“My role as inspector was to examine the available information, establish findings based on the evidence and provide recommendations arising from that work. The report is intended to provide a factual record of the inspection and its conclusions.”

David Goldie, Inspector

Next steps

The Minister of Municipal Affairs will review the inspector’s findings and recommendations. The report is being released publicly so Calgarians and Albertans can review the inspector’s findings and recommendations. Its release does not represent a decision by the Minister of Municipal Affairs on what further action, if any, may be appropriate.

Quick facts

  • Calgary’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main experienced significant failures on June 5, 2024, and Dec. 30, 2025.
  • The municipal inspection was conducted under the Municipal Government Act and focused on the management, administration and operations of the City of Calgary with respect to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main.
  • David Goldie is an independent consultant and corporate director and previously served as chair of the Alberta Energy Regulator board from 2020 to 2024.
  • Day-to-day operation and management of municipal water infrastructure remain the municipality’s responsibility.

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