Decision on Wilmot water taking, information on capacity concerns coming to regional council
Posted Apr 6, 2026 07:06:59 AM.
Last Updated Apr 6, 2026 10:24:39 AM.
Regional council will dive back into the water capacity concerns in the Mannheim Service area in council chambers on Wednesday.
Council are set to make a decision on water taking in Wilmot, with staff recommending that a 1980 policy be rescinded to open the way for continued pumping from Wilmot wells to the region’s urban areas.
In a report set to come before council on Wednesday, regional staff explain that they’ve been working within the confines of that 1980 policy in their water taking from Wilmot since 2019.
“The region has not exceeded the total allowable flows from Wilmot Township since pumping increased at Wilmot Centre in 2019,” reads the report. “This reflects operational adjustments made based on improved understanding of the Region’s aquifer systems through collection of long-term datasets. Under the 1980 Policy, the Region could take an additional 60 to 70 L/s of water from Wilmot Township than what is currently being pumped.”
To move forward with plans to develop the region’s urban centres, and to come in line with the water supply strategy update, staff are recommending that the policy be rescinded, adding that it adds “significant operating complexity and expense.”
If council decides to keep the policy in place, staff note that alternate solutions could “require detailed hydrogeological technical investigations to find a new supply source, require the construction of a brand-new water treatment facility, and take a minimum of 10 years to complete.”
Staff added that, even with the region taking water from Wilmot to supply other areas, the township community has enough capacity to support a population growth of more than 70 per cent between now and 2051.
Also coming to council on Wednesday is a report from staff on the water capacity concerns in the Mannheim Service Area.
The report shares success in projects that look to bring water capacity online in the Mannheim Service Area, including the completion of repairs at the Parkway plant as of March 30.
The region is also stepping closer towards hiring additional staff to aid in the water capacity concerns. Regional council approved the hiring of additional staff in late-January, and staff say they are in the interview process of hiring four senior engineers and more support staff.
Additionally, working groups continue to work away at potential fixes and solutions, including an framework for water allocation, which will be delved into at a May council meeting.
That report for information and a decision on Wilmot water taking is coming to a special council meeting starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
