Well owners, councillors get first look at new well interference policy
Posted Aug 13, 2026 09:25:43 AM.
Last Updated Aug 13, 2026 01:40:55 PM.
Changes are coming to way private well owners can report issues with their wells running dry and voice concerns when it comes to regional groundwater pumping.
In April, Regional Council rescinded a 1980 policy limiting how much water could be taken from Wilmot Township aquifers and distributed throughout the rest of Waterloo Region.
At the time, residents from Wilmot were concerned the additional pumping of water from township aquifers would have a negative impact on local wells and wetlands, some claiming it already had.
One month later, Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen, put forward a motion asking the region’s policy for responding to groundwater interference complaints be revised to better serve residents who are dealing with issues in their wells.
That draft policy was presented to councillors on Wednesday. The policy was presented just for discussion, and will be subject to another round of public consultation on August 20, before returning to Regional Council on September 9.
Some highlights included recommending an independent, third-party professional consultant be brought in to guide the complaint and potential appeal process, instead of a regional inspector.
It was also suggested a Well Interference Appeals Committee made up of five regional councillors (including the Regional Chair) be put in place.
The draft policy considered the results of several public engagement sessions as well as dozens of online surveys.
The feedback stressed a need to not only modernize the policy, but also update the compensation and mitigation processes. The draft policy addressed that with no compensation cap suggested, should the region be at fault of a well issue. The current payment amount is $4,000, which the well owner can appeal.
“While this new draft policy does not have a compensation cap, reimbursement will be fair and reasonable taking into consideration such factors as what is reasonably necessary and the typical market costs for the needed work,” reads the document.
The new document also puts the burden of proving there is no regional well interference on the Region of Waterloo.
Councillors Wednesday took most issue with the Well Interference Appeals Committee. Numerous councillors voiced concern that only politicians, who do not rely on well water themselves, would have a say in the appeals process.
It was suggested a member of the public could sit on the committee, in a non-voting role, to give a lived perspective on the issues that would come before the committee.
Regional Council will vote on the policy in September. The presentation before councillors on Wednesday can be seen here.
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