The two sources for Calgary's drinking water are both surface sources. The Bow River supplies the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant and the Elbow River flows into the Glenmore Reservoir, which is the source of water for the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant. The Bearspaw Plant primarily supplies water to the north sector of the city, while the Glenmore plant supplies the south. However, the water supply from the two plants is interconnected through large diameter transmission mains to ensure a reliable supply to all times.

The City of Calgary Water Services withdraws water from these two river systems according to demand and within parameters set out by Alberta Environment. We are careful not to exceed our licenses for daily and annual withdrawals and are also careful to maintain enough flow in the river systems to support other users of the water system both within Calgary and downstream of the city. Almost all of the water that is removed from the Bow and Elbow Rivers for use within Calgary is returned to the Bow River system after treatment in Calgary's wastewater treatment plants.

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