Calgary Water Restrictions This Fall: What to Know Before You Plant
On: August 27, 2026
By: Eagle Lake Nurseries
The City of Calgary has announced outdoor water restrictions for this fall while the Bearspaw water treatment plant is taken offline for work.
Stage 2 outdoor water restrictions begin the week of September 14, 2026. At Stage 2, watering of commercial plant stock is exempt, so nurseries, garden centres and landscape contractors can continue to water plant material. Lawn and garden watering by households is limited.
The City has also signalled a planned Stage 4 restriction, a full ban on outdoor watering, for mid-October 2026 while the plant work is completed.
What this means for fall planting in Calgary:
- Trees and shrubs planted in September can still be watered under Stage 2, but check the City’s current rules before scheduling a watering plan.
- If a project runs into mid-October, plan for the possibility that no outdoor watering is permitted. Newly planted stock should be well watered in before any ban takes effect.
- Restriction stages can change on short notice. The City of Calgary website (calgary.ca) is the authority for the current stage and exemptions.
Eagle Lake Nurseries is located in Wheatland County, east of Strathmore, and is not covered by City of Calgary restrictions. Orders, pickups and deliveries continue as usual.
