Waterscape - Bow River Basin
Urban Water

Calgary: A Big City on a Small River
Calgary is a big, rapidly growing city on a relatively small river. The Bow River, a world-class trout stream, has a limited capacity to assimilate wastewater without reducing its water quality. Because of this, the standard of Calgary's wastewater treatment is among the very highest in Canada.
Much of Calgary's sewage is treated at the Bonnybrook wastewater treatment plant (foreground) before discharge into the Bow River.
(Courtesy of the City of Calgary)
The Glenmore water treatment plant supplies water to Calgary from the Glenmore reservoir on the Elbow River.
(Courtesy of the City of Calgary)
Water Use
Did you know? Calgary's residential water use rises by 50% during the summer, largely due to garden and lawn watering.
Picture





Wow! We use a lot of water
An average Calgarian uses about 340 litres of water a day, or the equivalent of 85 "milk jugs" of water.
Picture
You are the Bow River
Bow River water enters our lives in many ways. Experiments show that your body's water is completely replaced every four weeks. If you live in the Bow River basin, you are largely made up of Bow River water. So, when you turn on the tap, drink a pop, or eat bread, locally grown vegetables, or beef, think 'Bow River'. 

You are the Bow River. You are 60% water.
Why should I conserve water?
Because...
  • It saves me money.
  • To not conserve water is wasteful.
  • It protects life in the Bow River.
  • It protects the water supplies of downstream communities.
  • It reduces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change (treating and pumping water uses electricity from coal-burning power plants).
  • It helps communities grow without exceeding their allowance of Bow River water.
  • Water treatment plant and sewage treatment plant expansions can be deferred.
Waterscapes: