A serious warning has been issued to Calgary residents: beware of a scam targeting your homes under the guise of water usage checks.
Posted January 10, 2026, with updates throughout the day, the City of Calgary is alerting the public about a door-to-door scam. This alert comes amidst ongoing efforts to repair a major water main break that has been causing significant disruption.
Following a rupture on December 30th, crews have been working tirelessly, including installing a new pipe along the Bearspaw South Feeder Main on Friday, January 9th. While progress is being made, with the first phase of the repair approximately 75% complete, it will still take several days to fully restore water service.
But here's where it gets critical: Despite the city's efforts, water usage remains a concern. On Friday, January 9th, Calgarians used 504 million litres of water. This is still above the city's sustainable threshold of 485 million litres.
The City of Calgary is reporting that individuals are going door-to-door, either posing as or claiming to be city employees, to inspect water usage. However, the city has clarified that it is not sending representatives to homes or businesses for this purpose.
"If anyone comes to your home, saying they are a city or ENMAX employee and asks to enter your home, the city advises you not let them in," a statement from 660 NewsRadio reads.
Calgary police have stated they are not aware of any reports filed regarding this specific scam. However, the city emphasizes that legitimate city employees will always contact residents beforehand to schedule an appointment if they need access to a home. Furthermore, they will arrive in marked City of Calgary vehicles and carry verifiable identification.
This isn't the first time: During a previous water shortage in 2024, a similar scam involved individuals providing misleading information and requesting to test residents' water or water meters. The city urges anyone encountering this situation to immediately contact the police non-emergency lines at 403-266-1234.
And this is the part most people miss... In the meantime, the city continues to urge Calgarians to conserve water. This includes only flushing when necessary, keeping showers to a maximum of three minutes, and running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: What do you think about the city's response to these scams? Are you concerned about the ongoing water situation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
