Region developing plan to meet community’s long-term infrastructure needs

Waterloo Region – In its updated Asset Management Plan, the Region of Waterloo is outlining how to manage $11.31 billion worth of infrastructure assets residents rely on. 

The plan summarizes the Region’s asset portfolio, assesses risk, and plans for maintenance and renewal. It shows that 84 per cent of the Region’s assets, including roads, water and wastewater infrastructure, buildings, housing and vehicles, are in a state of good repair.  

Properly managing assets ensures the Region can deliver services safely, reliably and efficiently, providing good value for taxpayers. However, despite effective planning and management, infrastructure continues to age. 

“The state of infrastructure across Canadian municipalities is a growing challenge,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “With age and the cost to maintain, repair and replace escalating, this plan gives Council clear data that will help us prioritize our capital program and ensure we can continue to provide services and infrastructure for residents now and into the future.”  

The plan suggests the Region needs to increase its $226 million a year investment by $82.8 million to maintain and renew existing infrastructure in a state of good repair. Addressing this will continue to be the focus of the Region moving forward. 

“Our next step is to look at all opportunities and find the right combination of solutions to keep our community growing and thriving while balancing affordability for residents,” says Wayne Steffler, the Region’s chief financial officer and commissioner of Corporate Services.  

Staff will come to Council in 2026 with a funding strategy that considers reserves, the priorities in the capital plan, and the impacts of development charges.

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