Progress update: Interim Risk Management Framework approved, plus progress on Greenbrook repairs
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.
June 8 Updates:
Interim Risk-Management Framework approved
The Interim Risk Management Framework approved by Council will allow development to safely proceed as fast as possible and unlock enough capacity to meet forecasted growth over the next five years. Through the framework, the Region will strategically time repairs for when there is enough available water to serve residents and move growth forward. Capacity would be allocated to Area Municipalities starting at the end of September, based on the Allocation Policy approved by Regional Council on May 6th. Council will further discuss the operational resiliency target and Form 1’s (that allow system connections for growth) at its next meeting on June 17. Additional direction from Council to support development as well as the stability and sustainability of the Mannheim Service Area includes:
- An approach to site specific transfers of capacity in specific service agreements will come forward by July 8th. This approach would help developers align capacity with market demand.
- A report exploring forward-looking service agreements to address development proceeding in the near term that does not require water capacity until a future date will come forward on June 17th.
- Involving the development community in conservation measures to help protect the water supply; and
- Engaging the Ontario Clean Water Agency to review and provide input into the water capital plan.
Finalizing operating plan for side stream
Staff are finalizing the operating plan for the temporary side stream treatment at Mannheim. This includes refining details such as how often the filters will need to be cleaned (backwashed) and how much water will be sent to waste as a result. In addition to testing over time, these refinements will help confirm how much capacity will be available. Watch this video to learn more about how we determine the amount of water that can flow through a treatment system daily.
In the meantime, supports for the concrete pad have been delivered as excavation continues at the Mannheim Water Treatment plant. This work requires precision, as crews need to ensure the steel supports can be placed without disturbing the electrical or piping underground. The concrete pad will hold the first mobile water treatment unit that’s part of the side stream solution.
Renewal work wraps up ahead of summer
Important renewal work on Well K93 near Ottawa Street and Trussler Road in Kitchener is wrapping up ahead of summer. This work involved replacing aging assets, including the pump. The well will be treated and tested before going back into service. This project is among several projects underway to help stabilize the water system in the Mannheim Service Area.
May 29 Updates:
Excavation begins for side stream
Construction crews began excavating at the Mannheim water treatment plant this week to prepare for the concrete pad and supports. This work will take a few weeks as crews need to ensure none of the electrical or piping underground is disturbed. The pad will hold the first mobile water treatment unit that’s part of the side stream solution. When brought online, it will provide additional water capacity.
Progress on Greenbrook repairs
The rehabilitation of aging tanks at the Region’s oldest water treatment plant are complete as we continue to repair and modify key infrastructure at Greenbrook. Improving the performance of the equipment will help restore up to 80 L/s and add up to 20 L/s of new capacity by the end of the year.
The Region is also determining next steps on how to keep water flowing out of Greenbrook while replacing most of the treatment equipment, which is nearing end of life. Watch the video to learn more about the work underway and planned for this plant.
Short-term growth forecast released
A growth forecast that helps understand anticipated demands for new water supply shows the population in the Mannheim Service Area is estimated to grow by 34,500 by 2031. That equals about 17,500 homes and represents 85 per cent of the region’s population growth. The forecast considers factors like global economic uncertainty and federal immigration policy, and trends in the housing market. It is part of the data set informing the framework that will determine when staged development can safely proceed. Read the full report.
Expanding water saving programs
The Region will expand water saving programs to help address the water capacity constraint. WET programs for residents, industry, institutions and commercial water users will be expanded to help meet the demand. The Region will also review the water conservation bylaw to see where further improvements can be made. Waterloo Region has one of the lowest water usage rates per capita in Canada, but conservation remains an important mitigation strategy as it helps maintain and protect our complex system. The report with recommendations came out of a working group assigned by Council to explore options for enhancing conservation measures to help address the water capacity constraint.
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.
View Council reports related to the constraint.