Guelph nears water limits but stays ‘open for business’

Guelph is creeping closer to its water limit. CTV’s Jeff Pickel finds out what the city’s plan is for the future.

The Region of Waterloo is not alone in its water capacity bind.

The City of Guelph is nearing the limit of its water-drawing ability, though the situation is far less critical than the one unfolding in Waterloo Region.

While the region has had to put a hold on development approvals for some areas, Guelph is not there yet.

“There have been no stops or holds. The city remains open for business at this time,” said Wayne Galliher, division manager of water services for the City of Guelph.

Like the Region of Waterloo, Guelph draws its water primarily from wells.

“The City of Guelph is one of Canada’s largest communities that’s based on groundwater. Groundwater, in comparison to surface water, is finite in nature,” Galliher said.

City officials say they are closing in on maximum water capacity and are putting policies in place to ensure water capacity grows alongside the population.

“At this time, we have just over five years of capacity remaining associated with development approvals, based on the pace of our growth plan,” Galliher said.

He added that long-range planning is crucial for water infrastructure.

“It does take a long time establishing a new water source, especially in a groundwater environment. It can be 10 years from the initial feasibility study to an environmental assessment, to planning and construction of a new water source,” Galliher said.

The city also says the water-bottling plant in Aberfoyle, previously operated by Nestle, does not impact its water capacity.

According to Galliher, if that situation changes, adjustments can be made.

“There would be potential in the future that if the city were to take more water, it may impact the bottled water permit to take water,” Galliher said.