Imagine opening your door to someone claiming they need to check your water usage, only to find out it’s a scam designed to exploit your trust. This is exactly what’s happening in Calgary right now, and it’s a stark reminder that even in times of crisis, fraudsters are ready to pounce. As the city grapples with a major watermain break that occurred on December 30, officials are sounding the alarm about a door-to-door scheme targeting unsuspecting residents and businesses.
Here’s the backstory: After a significant rupture along the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, crews worked tirelessly to install a new pipe on Friday, January 9. While progress is being made—with the first phase of repairs nearing 75% completion—full restoration of water service is still days away. In the meantime, Calgarians are being urged to conserve water, as usage remains above the city’s sustainable threshold of 485 million litres per day. On January 9, for instance, residents used 504 million litres—a concerning 19 million litres over the limit.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Amid these efforts, reports have surfaced of individuals posing as city employees or ENMAX representatives, knocking on doors and requesting entry to check water usage. The City of Calgary has made it crystal clear: they are not conducting any such inspections. If someone shows up at your door with this request, it’s a red flag. The city advises residents to deny entry and immediately report the incident to the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.
And this is the part most people miss: Legitimate city crews or employees always follow a specific protocol. They contact homeowners by phone to schedule appointments, arrive in marked City of Calgary vehicles, and carry verifiable identification cards. If these elements are missing, it’s a scam. Period.
This isn’t the first time Calgary has faced such deception. During the 2024 water shortage, a similar scam emerged, with fraudsters offering to test residents’ water or meters under false pretenses. The question is, why do these scams keep happening, and what can we do to stay one step ahead?
As the city continues to urge water conservation—think shorter showers, fewer toilet flushes, and full laundry loads—it’s equally important to stay vigilant against fraud. Do you think these scams exploit public trust during emergencies, or is there more to the story? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going and protect our community from falling victim to these schemes.
