Water Supply Strategy

Region of Waterloo Water Supply Strategy Update

Project Overview

As residents and business owners in Waterloo Region, we are fortunate to know we can turn on our taps and expect clean, quality water. The Region of Waterloo is updating the Water Supply Strategy to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable water supply through to 2051.

This project will identify short- and long-term recommendations for the Region’s Integrated Urban System, which includes over 80 groundwater wells and a limited supply from the Grand River supplying drinking water to Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and some communities in North Dumfries, Wilmot, and Woolwich. The Water Supply Strategy Update will build on previous master plans and will review current water supply sources, assess future water demands, and investigate possible new water sources to accommodate the Region’s population and employment growth projections to 2051. The project will consider a range of technical, environmental, social, and economic factors to evaluate potential options and identify a preferred approach for an updated strategy.

Project Objectives

The project objectives include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Update the 2015 Water Supply Master Plan and develop a strategy to balance the need for additional supply sources due to growth, with greater water efficiency methods.

• Comply with regulations and policies regarding water quality and identify opportunities to prepare for anticipated changes in the future.

• Undertake a planning process to meet the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for Master Plans.

• Review assets to optimize existing systems and consider the age and condition of current assets.

• Identify the criteria for initiating new, upgraded, or expanded infrastructure and operational changes to ensure water efficiency.

• Consider resource demands (money and staff) to adequately develop and operate larger more complex systems required to serve the community.

• Create a strategy that reflects the needs and values of the community through meaningful engagement and communications.

Community Engagement

Public meeting #1 — December 4, 2024, 7 p.m.

Water is an essential part of our community. Your input will shape the recommendations for water supply, conservation, and long-term management.

We have scheduled the first virtual public meeting for Wednesday, December 4 at 7 p.m. At this virtual meeting, we will share project background information and discuss the rollout of the Water Supply Strategy Update. We will also invite you to share your ideas, concerns and what you think is important for us to consider throughout this project.

The feedback we receive, along with the technical studies and advice from experts in the field, will help us make decisions as we develop the strategy.

Please register for the meeting in advance to receive the Zoom meeting link.

Subscribe to this project page for all updates and engagement opportunities.