Wilmot’s water may offer relief for Mannheim service area water capacity constraint

By Amanda Nelson

The Region of Waterloo is reviewing its Wilmot water-taking policy, first created in 1980 and updated in 1984, which governs how water from wells in Wilmot Township can be used.

Wilmot’s main wells, which serve Baden and New Hamburg, have enough supply to support local growth through 2051. They can also provide about 30 litres per second of additional water to the Mannheim service area, where the region is currently facing capacity constraints.

“Transferring some of that water would not jeopardize the current or future water supply for the remaining areas of Wilmot Township,” said Geoff Moroz, manager of hydrogeology and source water programs for the Region of Waterloo. “This would help the Mannheim service area capacity constraint that we have today.”

Moroz said provincially required testing shows the Wilmot aquifer contains a large supply of water and can be pumped at high levels without being depleted.

The region is permitted by the province to take up to 150 litres per second, and long-term testing at or near that level has shown the system remains stable.

Moroz said Wilmot has enough water to support its own growth while also helping relieve the Mannheim shortage, and that modern science and regional planning make the process safer and more reliable than when the policy was written more than 40 years ago.

Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen supports using surplus water in the short term but is asking council to slow the process, increase transparency and avoid making permanent decisions until the science is complete.

“I’m asking council to temporarily suspend the 1980 Wilmot water-taking policy, rather than revoke it, until the region’s new water supply strategy is completed and presented to regional council in 2027,” Salonen said.

“I appreciate what staff want to do, and being able to use what they’re identifying as surplus water short term,” she added. “My council is also okay with that, but we don’t want to just blanket say yes. We want reporting to both us and the public.”

While regional staff said extensive monitoring and safeguards are already in place, Salonen said more clarity is needed to protect Wilmot residents. She outlined six conditions she wants addressed, including public reporting on any water taken, protection for private wells, creeks and farmland, a clear definition of surplus water, and proof that Wilmot’s own growth will not be affected.

Salonen’s request was deferred to the next council meeting for further clarification and refinement.