‘Significant win’ in water capacity battle, but more staff needed
Posted Sep 10, 2026 07:51:50 AM.
Good news shared around the regional horseshoe this week on the ongoing efforts to increase water capacity in the Mannheim service area.
In an update Wednesday, regional staff shared a new way was discovered to adjust pressure zones, and make better use of the water capacity already in place.
It comes as the first sidestream unit arrived at the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant, with the remaining units expected to be on site this September.
Work is already in place to get that unit operational, and add about 20 litres per second of new water capacity to Kitchener, Waterloo, Wilmot, Woolwich and parts of Cambridge.
The pressure zone adjustment is being described as a major victory.
“It’s a significant win that will be faster to implement, cost significantly less, and provide a permanent solution,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman.
According to data shared by staff, the changes would save the region just over $8M, including no longer needing a temporary pumping station in place.
The change also means the region won’t need to pull water from Wilmot Township for the Mannheim service area as of January 2027. That water will instead be able to go towards growth in the Baden and New Hamburg areas.
Wilmot well owners will soon be able to have access to the final Well Interference Claim Policy as well. During that same Wednesday morning meeting, Regional Council unanimously passed the final version of the document which included minor wording adjustments, and clarifications on the appeal and consultant process.
Most notably, the updated version of the policy included adding a non-voting member of the public to the Appeal Committee, which had previously been pitched to include only councillors.
With the new water capacity infrastructure on the way and future growth demands, regional staff also presented an information report to councillors, requesting 10 additional employees be added to the payroll in 2027.
“If not approved, it is likely that new water capacity may not be made available in the timelines originally predicted,” read the report from staff.
The financial implications of those new roles were estimated at $869,874 in 2027 and $1,491,212 in 2028 and beyond.
The final say on that ask will be voted on during budget discussions later in the fall.
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