Waterloo Region unlocks new water capacity ahead of schedule

Karen Redman, chair for the Region of Waterloo, shares an update on the water capacity issue at the William Street Pumping Station on July 7, 2026. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV News)

The Region of Waterloo has unlocked additional capacity in the Mannheim Service Area months ahead of schedule, allowing municipalities to resume water allocation for some stalled development projects.

Officials announced Tuesday they had added 10 litres per second of new water capacity, available immediately, with another 20 litres per second expected this fall upon completion of the Mannheim Side Stream project.

Constraints on the water supply prompted the region to pause new municipal water allocations late last year, leaving some housing and employment developments on hold.

“The journey has been frustrating and difficult and complicated,” admitted Regional Chair Karen Redman.

Waterloo Region said the combined 30 litres per second of additional capacity will support housing for up to 10,500 residents, as well as approximately 5,000 jobs.

Officials said the first 10 litres per second was a result of optimization.

“We looked over the whole well system to see where we could balance the wells to allow us to take some more water overall,” explained Pam Law, the region’s director of water operations. “What’s allowing us to take this additional 10 litres per second is because of increased [water] taking in wells in Kitchener.”

The added capacity means municipalities in the Mannheim Service Area can begin assigning water to eligible developments roughly three months earlier than expected, as outlined by the region’s water allocation policy which was approved in May.

“It means that we can essentially, within the next little while as soon as those agreements are complete, indicate to the area municipalities that they’re free to allocate that volume,” said Rod Regier, the region’s commissioner of planning, development and legislative services.

Officials said the increased capacity was achieved through infrastructure repairs, by transferring water from Wilmot Centre and operational improvements that strengthened the existing groundwater system.

The region continues to work on solutions addressing future demand.

“We’re still going to look at medium and long-term solutions,” Redman said. “Budget 2027 will probably have a better, more realistic focus on what the cost is.”

Officials also emphasized that Waterloo Region has sufficient drinking water for existing residents and said ongoing conservation efforts will remain a priority as the community continues to grow.