A key solution to the capacity constraint has reached another milestone – the innovative water treatment unit that will help us add significant new capacity is ready for delivery next month.  

Laminar Water in Cambridge has built the first 53-foot unit that will treat water flowing from the Grand River to the Mannheim water treatment plant. The advanced technology inside the unit filters solids out of drinking water to keep it safe. It will be hooked up to the plant so that the Region can treat more water ahead of permanent upgrades that will be completed in a few years. 

Through the first unit, up to 50 litres per second (L/s) of new water capacity could be added by the end of 2026. Three more containers will be up and running by next summer, bringing the total new capacity up to 300 L/s. In total, this solution could provide nearly half the new capacity needed to support forecasted growth up to 2032. 

The Region is working with many partners to fast-track this solution. A project like this would typically take more than four years to complete but we’ll have design and engineering to construction and operation completed in 18 months or less. 

The first unit will be delivered to the Mannheim water treatment plant next month as crews continue to prepare the site for the mobile system. Current work happening on site includes installing piping and steel posts that will anchor and support each 100,000-pound unit.  

View a video that shows our progress at the site. 

This project is one of many solutions moving forward at the same time to stabilize the water system in the Mannheim Service Area and support growth.