News Flash

Progress update: vital water infrastructure back online, certain developments moving ahead

Apr 7, 2026

Progress update: vital water infrastructure back online, certain developments moving ahead

Providing sustainable drinking water for the community as it 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. This is the fourth update in this series.

Email waterupdate@regionofwaterloo.ca to receive regular updates. You can also visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/watercapacity to see a FAQ and other information. 

Vital water infrastructure back online

Extensive upgrades to the Parkway water system have restored 60 L/s of capacity, helping to stabilize the water supply in the Mannheim Service Area. This as the Region continues to fast-track solutions that further restore and add new capacity.

After the upgrades wrapped up in mid-March, the Parkway system was tested and is now online. The system was taken offline for renewal work on the reservoir, which is a concrete cell the size of an eight-story building that stores and distributes treated water to the community. Upgrades included restoring the concrete and replacing the aging piping, valves, and waterproof liner. The upgrades are part of the Region’s 10-year water capital plan to ensure the infrastructure residents rely on remains in good condition.    Visit the water capacity webpage to see all current and planned work to support development while ensuring a sustainable water supply now and into the future.

Development of schools, childcare and faith institutions moving ahead

The Region has updated its approach to new and expanded schools, childcare centres, and religious institutions in the Mannheim Service Area. Discussions with area municipalities through the working groups found that water use for these projects is already accounted for in the existing water demand, which is calculated using the current population. A more extensive list of the types of development that can proceed in the near term is underway while the Region also charts a path forward for development that requires new water supply.

Two reports going to Special Council next week are now online

Two reports going to Regional Council at the April 8 Special Council meeting are now online: 

About the water capacity constraint  

The Region of Waterloo operates a complex water system that relies on groundwater and water from the Grand River, including 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 area supplies water to Kitchener, Waterloo and parts of Cambridge, Woolwich, and Wilmot. The constraint is based on the Region’s ability to pump, store, treat, and distribute water to where it is needed to accommodate future growth, while also considering critical maintenance requirements. The Region is working to accelerate solutions to the constraint and ensure a sustainable supply of water for generations to come. 

Council reports: