Imagine reliving a nightmare scenario where a catastrophic water main rupture threatens your livelihood not once, but twice in the span of a single year – that's the disheartening reality confronting several Calgary entrepreneurs as they grapple with yet another major pipe failure.
Calgary (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary)
For entrepreneurs operating in Calgary's impacted pipe region, this latest incident evokes a strong sense of déjà vu, echoing the exasperating ordeal they endured back in 2024.
Mayor encourages residents to shop at establishments in the impacted zones
Jennifer Keiller (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/author/jennifer-keiller-1.7602344) · CBC News
· Posted: Jan 02, 2026 4:19 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
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This week's water main rupture occurred just as Shawn Kearns was shutting down his Greenbriar Market and Refillery on Bowness Road at the close of December – and in this case, the timing offered a small silver lining.
“We managed to avoid this one, luckily,” Kearns remarked.
Kearns figures his shop suffered around $30,000 in lost revenue from the 2024 water main break due to fewer visitors. He and his business partner are keeping operations running at their Crossroads Market site.
For establishments in the impacted regions – including sections of Point McKay, West Hillhurst, Parkdale, and Montgomery now under a boil water notice – it mirrors the exasperating predicament they navigated in 2024.
- Calgarians haven't reduced water consumption as city requested following water main break (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/no-drop-in-calgarians-water-usage-despite-request-from-city-after-water-main-break-9.7031950)
There are added precautions to take, such as ensuring water is brought to a boil before it's used in serving food or for activities like washing dishes by hand. To clarify for beginners, a boil water advisory is a public health warning issued when water might be contaminated, requiring you to boil it vigorously for at least one minute (or follow other specified guidelines) to kill harmful bacteria and make it safe for consumption or contact. This can complicate daily operations, especially in businesses dealing with food or personal care.
Additionally, there are worries about blocked roads, with some proprietors fearing this might discourage potential customers from stopping by. For instance, NOtaBLE The Steakhouse took to social media to assure patrons that they were open on New Year's Eve, providing clear directions on how to reach them despite the disruptions.
For Annie Tran, who runs Now Nails and Spa, the aftermath of the break involved some quick thinking to adapt.
The salon sits on a portion of 16th Avenue N.W. that's currently off-limits to vehicles, so they were uncertain about how clients would arrive. Moreover, Alberta Health Services mandates that water for tasks like filling pedicure tubs or soaking manicures must be boiled first during a boil water advisory (https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eh-water-safely-ps-boil-water.pdf).
“Water plays a crucial role in our offerings. We provide pedicures and manicures, which rely heavily on ample water supplies,” Tran shared with CBC News Network on Thursday.
She mentioned that if the advisory drags on, she might temporarily pause services such as pedicures that demand significant water usage.
At Abbey’s Creations Ice Cream, co-owner Paul Hopfner described it as a case of “déjà vu.” He's grateful it struck during a quieter period rather than the height of ice cream season, unlike the previous summer incident. While his shop can handle the challenges, he notes the cumulative toll.
“It’s challenging when we face significant disruptions annually. This impacts our operations and could potentially force one or two businesses in Montgomery to close,” he stated.
Mayor appeals to Calgarians to back local businesses
In the city's Thursday briefing on the water main break, Mayor Jeromy Farkas urged residents to patronize affected establishments.
“Please, Calgarians, now more than ever, let's rally to support our community members. The city administration is providing assistance, and we'll keep that up,” he declared.
Farkas revealed he had visited several local shops to learn firsthand about their hardships.
WATCH | Mayor urges Calgarians to patronize businesses in the pipe failure area:
Mayor urges Calgarians to patronize businesses in the pipe failure area
January 2|
Duration 1:27
This appeal came amid worries expressed by certain store owners regarding their viability. CBC's Terri Trembath interviewed proprietors in the Montgomery area.
While he indicated the city is exploring “every possible avenue” to aid businesses, he didn't pledge specific financial aid, emphasizing instead the need to establish precise schedules for restoring normalcy.
Kearns, who no longer operates a location in the zone, hopes the city steps in with assistance for local entrepreneurs.
“I'm truly hoping the city offers some form of support this round for small businesses. Last time, they basically said 'tough luck, you're on your own,'” he commented.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is the city doing enough to prevent these recurring crises, or are aging infrastructure issues being swept under the rug to avoid costly repairs? And this is the part most people miss – while environmental factors like climate change might exacerbate such breakdowns, some argue that hasty development in the past has strained water systems beyond their limits. What do you think: Should taxpayers foot the bill for business bailouts after each incident, or is it time to invest heavily in proactive upgrades to avoid these patterns? Share your thoughts in the comments – do you agree that prevention is better than cure, or disagree on who bears the responsibility?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer is a journalist with CBC Calgary. She previously worked for CTV News in Toronto. Contact her at jennifer.keiller@cbc.ca
With contributions from Terri Trembath and Brendan Coulter
