Progress updates: Side stream pilot project nearing completion
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, this series of updates shares our progress.
Email waterupdate@regionofwaterloo.ca to receive regular updates. You can also visit the Water Capacity Information Hub webpage to see a FAQ and other information.
September 14 Updates:
Side stream pilot project nearing completion
Site preparation work is almost complete on the first side stream unit at the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant, which will add 20 L/s of new capacity to the Mannheim Service Area this fall. The first side stream unit arrived in August, and extensive electrical and piping work has now been done to connect it to the treatment plant.
This is a pilot project, with three more similar units set to arrive in the near future. Concrete pads have now been poured at the plant to be ready for their arrival.
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New approaches to key projects will bring more water online faster
Region of Waterloo staff have identified new approaches to provide additional capacity to the Mannheim Service Area earlier and at a lower cost. Based on council directives and additional information collected in recent months, the Region has identified a plan to move an estimated 25 L/s of water demand from the Mannheim Service Area to the Middleton Service Area. This reconfiguration will be three years faster, cost $8.1M less, and be permanent compared to building the temporary CAM 2W pumping station.
The Region is also proceeding with an alternative solution that will deliver more water from the Parkway Water System. A blending approach will allow 10 L/s more water to be online in 2027 and cost an estimated $1.8M. This will save $2.9M and be delivered two years earlier compared to the option of building a new water treatment process.
After allocating an additional 15 L/s from Wilmot to the Mannheim Service Area on an interim basis, and after bringing more water online faster than anticipated, the 15 L/s will no longer be needed after January 2027, at which point it will be available to be used to support growth in Baden and New Hamburg.
The Region continues to explore all options to address the capacity constraint and find efficiencies where possible.
Groundwater Interference Policy updated
The Region of Waterloo has a newly updated process for how it responds to groundwater interference claims from private well owners. These changes to the policy are intended to increase transparency and trust. The update includes a new independent investigation process and the development of a well interference appeal committee. More information on the revised well interference policy is available now on the newly created webpage: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/programs-and-services/water-and-wastewater/drinking-water-supply/well-interference-claim/
August 14 Updates:
First side stream container arrives on site
The concrete pad that supports the first unit was poured and cured, allowing the first container to arrive on site. Now that the unit has arrived, site preparation work continues and includes electrical and piping work to connect the unit to the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant. When complete, the first container is expected to add 20 L/s of new capacity to the Mannheim Service Area.
Watch the video below to see the pouring of the concrete pad and the delivery of the unit.
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Water allocations begin
The Region has assigned the first batch of water capacity to the Area Municipalities, to be allocated for new development projects. Work to increase water capacity over the past several months has produced 30 L/s in the Mannheim Service Area, which can be used for new development as determined by water allocation policies set by the Area Municipalities. In addition, capacity has been made available to the Area Municipalities for Forward Looking Servicing Agreements, which allows more development to proceed.
Work continues at Greenbrook Water Treatment Plant
Work is progressing at the historic Greenbrook plant in Kitchener to repair key infrastructure and restore water capacity. New tanks will be installed soon to hold chemicals used in the water treatment process. The plant’s filters that remove iron and manganese are being rehabilitated, as are the site’s GAC (granular activated carbon) tanks. Work is also underway to drain, clean and inspect Greenbrook’s reservoirs and chambers. Renewal of the plant equipment will restore up to 80 L/s.
Updates underway to the Groundwater Interference Policy
The Region of Waterloo is reviewing how it responds to groundwater interference claims from private well owners. This review focuses specifically on the claim and appeal process, including how concerns are assessed, how decisions are made, and what happens when interference is identified. Staff prepared a draft policy here, and will host a public information session on August 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to get more feedback from the community before a final draft policy is brought to Council in September.
Transferring water capacity supports immediate development
The Region is now facilitating the transfer of committed water capacity from unbuilt lots or blocks to be used instead for draft approved subdivisions. One agreement has been fully executed, and another is in progress. Moving quickly on these Requests for Transfer Servicing Commitment is expected to allow over 350 homes to move forward immediately.
About the water capacity constraint
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.
View previous Progress Updates.
View Council reports related to the constraint.