Michael Thompson named acting chief operating officer for the Calgary – Calgary water utility

The City of Calgary has appointed Michael Thompson as the utility’s acting chief operating officer.

Thompson currently serves as the city’s general manager of infrastructure services and is expected to assume the role of COO of the utility over the next 18 months.

According to a news release regarding the appointment, Thompson will focus on improving the reliability and operational performance of water systems, as well as integrating planning, project execution and operations.

Thompson told reporters on Monday he was excited to take on the role after being “heavily involved” with the water utility team over the past two years, after the Bearspaw feeder main broke in June 2024.

“I will work with the team to take care of all utility work, planning, operations and execution of the project,” said Thompson. “My current role is in infrastructure services, we look after all the capital projects, so really excited to work with the utility team in the future.”

The creation of a COO to oversee the water utility follows a number of recommendations from an independent panel tasked with reviewing the Bearspaw feeder main, which the city said “identified the need for stronger operational accountability, integration and oversight across Calgary’s water system.”

Get daily National news

Get Canada’s daily news stories delivered to your inbox so you never miss the day’s top stories.

The report also found that decades-old systemic problems in the city’s water system contributed to the water main failure.

In his new role, Thompson will also be asked to establish clear and comprehensive water service accountability and advance implementation of the review panel’s recommendations, the city said.

The city said it conducted a comprehensive recruiting process with an external executive search firm to “consider strong and diverse candidates for the role.”

“However, there is a strong need for leadership that can take immediate action, provide deep system knowledge, and drive execution at the unprecedented speed we are working at now,” the city said in a press release.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas told reporters he expects the role will be a “challenging one,” but he is “very excited” to see Thompson take on the role.

“I would say, speaking on behalf of Calgary city council, as well as many of my colleagues in the city, we are very confident in the work he can produce,” Farkas said. “But not only is he the one doing the work, but he’s also the one making the rest of the team a leader, so the proof is in the pudding.”

Over the past two years, Thompson has been heavily involved in emergency repairs to stabilize the Bearspaw feeder line after both lines suffered critical damage, the last of which occurred in December 2025.

He is also overseeing the acceleration of the project to replace the main feeder line with new steel pipe, which is expected to be completed in December.

“Calgarians expect reliable water service, and we are responsible for providing it,” the city’s chief administrative officer, David Duckworth, said in a statement. “This role is about strengthening the way we operate the system, with clear accountability, better coordination and disciplined execution. Michael is the right leader to take on this role now. He brings deep knowledge of our water system, and a proven ability to deliver results in the complex environment and drive the urgent change we are undertaking.”

Thompson is expected to begin his role starting next week.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.