Water capacity issue in Waterloo region needs multiple solutions

Region of Waterloo staff told councillors a water capacity shortfall identified in December 2025 affects the Mannheim Service Area and has led the region to pause support for new servicing agreements; staff outlined short- and longer-term measures including repairs, optimization and a proposed 20 per cent supply buffer.

Staff with the Region of Waterloo reported a water capacity shortfall affecting the Mannheim Service Area, first identified in December 2025. Regional staff provided an all-day update to councillors outlining how capacity is being tracked and what short- and longer-term measures are being planned. They described a proposal for an operational resiliency target of a 20 per cent supply buffer and noted ongoing repair work at treatment sites. The region said it will not support new servicing agreements until the issue is resolved. Key points: - The shortfall is reported for the Mannheim Service Area, which serves Kitchener, Waterloo and parts of Cambridge, Woolwich and Wilmot; staff said maximum supply without a 20% buffer is 1,455 litres per second while anticipated need is about 1,593 litres per second over the next decade. - Staff are moving from an integrated urban system method to an individual service area approach after observing more frequent low storage levels and groundwater threshold indicators. - Short-term measures reported include targeted repairs at treatment plants, optimizing existing water sources and expediting water supply projects; longer-term plans include designing and building new infrastructure. - The region announced it will pause support for new development servicing agreements until capacity is restored; staff will bring a report in February on developments subject to advisory comments and a June report on water conservation policies. Summary: The reported capacity shortfall has led the region to limit support for new servicing agreements and to accelerate repair and planning work. Council passed motions to speed timelines and staff will provide a February report on advisory comments for development and a June report on conservation policies. Undetermined at this time.