Simon Guthrie
Regional Council · Region of Waterloo
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Water Supply (Regional)
The Region of Waterloo's long-term water supply is under growing pressure. Water capacity in the Mannheim Service Area serving Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge, Wilmot, and Woolwich, is limited in supporting new development approvals. While additional supplies were found for easing immediate needs, what long term approach should the Region take? (rank from highest to lowest in importance)ranked from highest to lowest importance
- Prioritize immediate investment in water conservation programs and demand management
- Commission an independent technical review of all options before committing to major new infrastructure
- Accelerate exploration of alternative water sources (wells, treated wastewater reuse, inter-municipal supply)
- Pursue a Lake Erie pipeline connection with provincial and federal cost-sharing
- Approve developments now and resolve water supply constraints in the future
Describe your position on how the Region should resolve this issue and what timeline is realistic.candidate's own words
We have to immediately admit that growth will be limited by water availability. In the medium term, we will build standards (with provincial participation whenever appropriate) to allow and encourage water conservation systems including greywater reuse and rainwater storage. In the longer term, we will either: -need another source of water given the limitations of our groundwater systems. -need to limit growth permanently.