Providing sustainable drinking water as the community grows is the Region of Waterloo's top priority. As we address the water capacity constraint in the Mannheim Service Area, these updates share our progress.
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In the June 22nd issue: 📆
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Optimizing wells could add water by the summer
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The Region continues to expedite solutions to bring new capacity online including through optimizing existing wells. A study carried out by Aqua Insights is underway to find ways to run the well supply system in an optimized way that results in additional supply in the Mannheim Service Area. Preliminary estimates suggest 5-10 L/s of new capacity could be allocated to development as early as this summer through the Interim Risk Management Framework.
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Water allocations for development coming July 1, 2026
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Twenty litres per second (L/s) of capacity will be assigned to Area Municipalities by July 1, which is expected to be available for use by end of September. At that time, the first mobile treatment unit for the side stream system is anticipated to add enough water for about 7,000 people. Area municipalities will utilize allocation policies, working with the development community, to allocate the capacity.
The allocations are being made based on the Interim Risk Management Framework, a roadmap that ensures a continuous supply of water to meet the need for new homes over the next five years, while protecting drinking water for all.
The Interim Risk Management Framework predicts how much and when new capacity will be available to support the short-term growth forecast. It removes and replaces a 20 per cent operational resiliency target with a more flexible approach to allow critical repairs and upgrades to aging wells and treatment equipment. Watch the video below to learn more about operational resiliency and why it’s important for your drinking water.
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Providing certainty for long-term development
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Council received an update on a framework for Forward Looking Service Agreements that will provide certainty for long-term development as the capacity constraint is resolved. Consultation will continue on a Framework for Forward Looking Servicing Agreements on draft plans of subdivision that were draft approved prior to May 6th, 2026. The framework will return to Council on July 8th, 2026.
Area Municipalities will develop Forward Looking Service Agreements for all other types of development. Beyond the July 1st allocation, the Region will allocate new water capacity to lower-tier municipalities in the Mannheim Service Area at the beginning of each quarter.
Region staff are working with the Province to understand how Form 1s can be signed for future capacity coming online.
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Transfers framework supports development in the near term
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Council has approved a framework for Transfers of Servicing Commitment that would support the transfer of committed water capacity from registered unbuilt lots/blocks to draft approved subdivisions. It is expected this would allow for over 500 homes to move forward. The transfers of committed capacity are subject to certain conditions, including:
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- The transfer must occur within lands owned or controlled by the same developer;
- The Area Municipality agrees to the transfer;
- The transfer does not result in an increase in water demand; and
- A mechanism is used to stop any further development on the lands from which the capacity has been transferred until a further allocation has occurred from the Area Municipality.
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Starting immediately, Region staff will review and facilitate the transfer requests received to date and expedite implementation.
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Advancing new water sources
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A consulting firm will help advance a key solution to the water capacity constraint. GEI Consultants will complete the Environmental Assessment Addendum for the Grand River water system, a new potential water source in the east end of Kitchener that would add up to 100 L/s of new capacity. It is the first step to bringing several old wells in the area west of the Grand River and north of Fairway Road North back online. This water system would include a new treatment plant, storage reservoir and pumping station.
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About the water capacity constraint
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The Region of Waterloo operates a complex water system that relies on groundwater and water from the Grand River, with over 100 wells and 50 treatment facilities. In the fall of 2025, through ongoing work and updates to the long-term strategy for water supply, a capacity constraint in the Mannheim Service Area was identified. This service area supplies water to Kitchener, Waterloo and parts of Cambridge, Woolwich, and Wilmot. The constraint is a limit on the Region’s ability to pump, store, treat, and distribute water needed to support future growth, while having capacity for critical maintenance requirements. We are working to accelerate solutions to ensure a safe and sustainable supply of water for generations to come.
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