01-09-2026, 10:56 AM
Waterloo Region’s water supply crisis, explained (Luisa D'Amato, The Record)
Luisa D'Amato provided a pretty good summary of the Region's water crisis after attending a briefing at the Region. The short version is that, among other things, while the Region counted suburban growth towards the overall total of water users, they neglected to count infill development towards the total number of users. Given the massive amount of infill development over the past two decades, that now means that the Region is at capacity of water use for Kitchener, Waterloo and points north and the Region will not approve any future developments until the water supply issue is solved.
The Region has a full web page here about the matter. Regional staff are assessing the situation and will present more details in the future. The goal is for a sustainable water supply system:
Two questions:
1. Would the Cities and/or Region be able to rescind approvals for developments that were granted in the past two decades but that have not progressed forward? These approved developments would be using up potential capacity without the prospect of actually being built. Or at the very least, could they be asked to reapply for a rubber stamp approval once they are clearly ready to proeceed with contruction?
2. What happens if the Cities and/or Region reject a newly proposed development because of the water capacity issue? Can a proponent appeal to the OLT? Can the OLT force the Region to increase water capacity?
Luisa D'Amato provided a pretty good summary of the Region's water crisis after attending a briefing at the Region. The short version is that, among other things, while the Region counted suburban growth towards the overall total of water users, they neglected to count infill development towards the total number of users. Given the massive amount of infill development over the past two decades, that now means that the Region is at capacity of water use for Kitchener, Waterloo and points north and the Region will not approve any future developments until the water supply issue is solved.
The Region has a full web page here about the matter. Regional staff are assessing the situation and will present more details in the future. The goal is for a sustainable water supply system:
Quote:A sustainable water supply system requires producing enough water to meet current demand and future growth, and having a capacity buffer for periodic repairs, maintenance and emergencies.
Quote:While this water constraint exists, the Region is unable to support approval of development applications or enter into any new agreements that add additional demand on the Mannheim Service Area water system.
Two questions:
1. Would the Cities and/or Region be able to rescind approvals for developments that were granted in the past two decades but that have not progressed forward? These approved developments would be using up potential capacity without the prospect of actually being built. Or at the very least, could they be asked to reapply for a rubber stamp approval once they are clearly ready to proeceed with contruction?
2. What happens if the Cities and/or Region reject a newly proposed development because of the water capacity issue? Can a proponent appeal to the OLT? Can the OLT force the Region to increase water capacity?