Progress updates: Restoring and boosting water capacity
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.
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.
July 10 Updates:
Restoring and boosting water capacity
This week, a significant increase to water capacity in the Mannheim Service Area was announced. This additional water capacity will ensure a continued safe and sustainable water supply to support community needs.
In July, a total of 30 L/s of water capacity is ready for the Region to assign to area municipalities for projects within the Mannheim Service Area. A key part of this important achievement was by optimizing existing source well operations more effectively, we were able to unlock an additional 10 L/s of water — that’s enough water for 3,500 people.
Learn more about well optimization in the video below, and read more about the additional capacity in this media release.
Update on side stream
Work continues to prepare the Mannheim water treatment plant for a side stream filtration solution that will add 20 L/s of new capacity by the end of September. Last week, helical piles were installed on site. These help distribute the loads from the heavy side stream containers deep underground so that their weight doesn’t damage underground utilities below them, such as pipes and conduits.
Next, the underground piping that will direct flows to and from the containers will be installed, followed by the remainder of the structural support system. The first treatment unit will then be installed later this summer.
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Supporting continued growth
Council has approved an updated framework for Regionally-issued Forward Looking Servicing Agreements (FLSAs) to support continued growth and development while ensuring occupancy remains aligned with the delivery of new water infrastructure.
The framework allows certain plans of subdivision to proceed with plan registration and building permit issuance using water supply capacity aligned with future occupancy of the development. These can proceed provided that occupancy is deferred until future water supply capacity becomes available. To be eligible, a plan must:
- have received a draft approval; and
- have submitted a servicing agreement request before May 6, 2026.
The updated framework streamlines the process by allowing developers to submit requests tied to specific project milestones and planned water infrastructure projects. This approach provides greater certainty on the timing of future capacity.
Forward Looking Servicing Agreements requested after May 6, 2026 will be processed by Area Municipalities.
Transfer framework supports near term development
Requests for Transfer Servicing Commitment are being reviewed, and implementation is being expedited to support the transfer of committed water capacity from registered unbuilt lots/blocks to draft approved subdivisions. It is expected this work will allow for over 350 homes to move forward immediately.
Expediting water capacity projects
Council has approved a new procurement approach to help bring water capacity online quicker while maintaining transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
The approved approach allows certain procurement requirements to be waived for eligible water-capacity projects identified through the Interim Risk Management Framework and delegates approval authority to the Chief Administrative Officer in specific circumstances where standard procurement timelines could delay project delivery.
The authority applies only to projects with existing Council-approved funding, includes consultation with Procurement staff, monthly reporting to Council, and expires on June 30, 2027.
Financial update on water capacity constraint initiatives
A financial update was presented to Council on the initiatives required to support long-range planning and decision-making. Staff assessed both the operating and capital commitments associated with addressing the capacity constraint and evaluated the potential impacts of these initiatives on the Water Capital Reserve and future water rate requirements using different funding scenarios.
The Region continues to work closely with the Province to advocate for funding support to help expedite solutions, reduce pressure on the Water Capital Reserve, and minimize water rate increases. Securing external funding remains the most significant factor in reducing future rate pressures. Read the full report.
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.