Waterloo Region – Regional Council has approved funding to fast-track a pivotal short-term solution to address the Mannheim Service Area water capacity constraint. With this funding, the Region will pilot innovative modular technology at the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant.  

The Mannheim temporary side stream treatment pilot allows more water to be treated faster through containers that create a side stream at the existing facility. The goal is to add about 25 litres per second (L/s) of water to start, followed by up to 50 L/s total in the fall. When all containers are online, they could add up to 300 L/s by next year. Staff are working with partners on technical requirements.  

Adding up to 300 L/s would be a significant step forward in restoring treatment capacity at the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant to help address the water capacity constraint. This pilot project will provide some operational resiliency and, if successful, create new capacity in the future.   

 “The water capacity constraint is one of the biggest challenges facing our region, and we are addressing this issue immediately,” says Regional Chair Karen Redman. “This pilot program shows that Council is moving as fast as we can on solutions that increase capacity, protect our communities, and support growth, while we work on longer-term repairs and infrastructure projects in partnership with our municipal and provincial partners.”  

The container pilot is a bridge measure until the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant upgrade project is complete. Both are on the list of preliminary solutions that were endorsed by Council in January. Other initiatives include repairs, upgrades, and new infrastructure. 

“Staff and industry experts will continue to evaluate, streamline, and accelerate all solutions that add water to the system, restore lost operational resiliency, and create more capacity for future growth," says Acting CAO Mathieu Goetzke. 

Residents can access the full list of preliminary solutions and stay up to date on this Region webpage.

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