Full Breakdown
Calgary Pays Over $1.7 Million to Panel Chair for Bearspaw Water-Main Review
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Compensation Overview
The city disclosed that the Bearspaw South Feeder Main Independent Review Panel cost roughly $2.3 million. More than $1.7 million of that sum went to panel chair Siegfried Kiefer, a former longtime ATCO executive, who was paid on an hourly basis. Each of the five other members received about $80,000 under fixed-rate contracts. The city’s memo noted that the nine-month review included engineering expertise, expanded scope, and support during a second pipe break. The estimated budget range for the panel was $1 million to $2 million, according to chief administrative officer David Duckworth.
02
Panel Purpose and Recommendations
The panel was convened after the 2024 rupture of Calgary’s key Bearspaw water feeder main to determine the cause and propose system improvements. Its final report recommended accelerating work to twin the feeder main by early next year while repairing the existing pipe. The recommendations also led to the creation of a new Water Utility Oversight Board to provide independent advice on city water-system management. Construction on the replacement pipe is reported as nearly complete.
03
Official Statements & Responses
He added that the city paid private-sector rates to ensure independent expertise. She called for clear compensation models for future panels.
04
Verbatim Quotes
05
What’s Next
In January, council voted to adopt the panel’s recommendations and to cap compensation for the new Water Utility Oversight Board. The city plans to continue monitoring the twin-main project and to refine its oversight processes in response to the panel’s findings.