Since our last update on the development freeze in the Mannheim Service Area (Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge, Woolwich, and Wilmot), the landscape has shifted rapidly.
While the "Holding Provisions" remain a reality for new land deals, Regional Council and the development industry have moved from what we will call a presumed standstill to a strategy of "cautious progress."
Here are the important updates developers, investors and landlords should be aware of as of February 17th 2026.
The Major Policy Shift: The "50/50" Motion
The most significant news for developers is a change in how new water capacity will be allocated.
Originally, the fear was that all new water found (or let's call it fixed or repaired) would go strictly to restoring the Region's 20% safety buffer (resiliency), leaving nothing for new homes.
That changed this month. Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic tabled a motion, which passed unanimously, stating that up to 50% of new water capacity can be allocated to support development.
What this means for you: This signals that the Region will not force the industry to wait until the entire safety buffer is rebuilt before allowing new connections. As new water comes online (see below), a portion of it will be released to unlock frozen projects. The fear that it would be "tools down" on any development until 2030 or 2031 seem to have lessened - to a degree.
Engineering Solutions: $15 Million for "Fast-Track" Filtration
The Region is no longer just talking about studies; they are spending capital. Council has approved $15 million from reserve funds to install a "side stream" container filtration system at the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant.
The Timeline:
- Spring 2026: The first units could be operational, adding 25 litres per second (L/s).
- Fall 2026: Capacity could increase to 50 L/s.
- Late 2027: If the pilot is successful, this technology could eventually add up to 300 L/s—a massive leap toward solving the deficit.
Of note of course is the fact that the 300 L/s is dependent on the presumed success of the pilot.
Immediate Relief: The Wilmot Transfer
In another unanimous decision, Council approved the immediate diversion of 30 L/s from the Wilmot Centre wells to the Mannheim system.
- Impact: This provides enough water for approximately 10,500 people.
- The Caveat: This is surplus water that was previously being pumped to test the aquifer and dumped; it is now being put to productive use. However, Wilmot officials have asked for "guardrails" to ensure this diversion doesn't hinder their own local growth or the proposed mega-industrial site
New Leadership
The Region has brought in outside expertise to manage this crisis. Kenneth Brothers, an expert in water utility management, has been appointed as the Interim Commissioner of Water Services, effective February 23 2026. His mandate is specific: accelerate work to build operational resiliency and add new capacity. For the industry, having a dedicated lead on this file offers a single point of accountability.
The Reality Check: We Are Still on the "Precipice"
Despite these wins, the underlying data remains stark. Regional hydrogeologists confirmed to Council that for the years 2023, 2024, and projected 2025, the Region has been pumping water at unsustainable levels.
Geoff Moroz, the Region’s manager of hydrogeology, warned that some wells are operating above their maximum sustainable capacity and are "at the precipice" of hitting trigger levels that would force them to shut down to protect private wells.
The Bottom Line for Investors
The narrative has moved from "Indefinite Freeze" to "Managed Scarcity."
• The "H" Remains: If you are buying land, continue to expect Holding Provisions. However, the path to lifting them is becoming clearer.
• Timing is Everything: A new risk-based assessment team is examining whether projects can be approved now if they won't physically need water for 2-3 years, aligning construction timelines with the arrival of the new filtration capacity.
• Watch the Spring: The success of the Mannheim filtration pilot this Spring is the key variable. If it works, the timeline for lifting the freeze accelerates significantly.
We will continue to follow this for you and report back as new information comes in.
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