Kitchener Water Allocation Policy
Kitchener’s Water Allocation Policy (the Policy) was adopted by Kitchener By-law Number 2026-091 on June 29, 2026. The Policy outlines the terms by which the limited water supply capacity, allocated from the Region, shall be assigned to a development by the City of Kitchener.
On this page:
About the Kitchener Water Allocation Policy
The Policy serves as a strategic guide for the City to facilitate accountable and prudent decision-making in the face of increasing and competing development pressures and available capacity. The Policy framework serves as a transparent tool to assess and evaluate development applications consistently.
The Policy has been prepared to address the escalating pressures on water infrastructure and to ensure the prioritization of projects while considering:
- community benefit, affordable housing and sustainability;
- complete communities and planning in the public interest; and,
- supporting the growth of the community’s population and economy.
The Policy established a prioritization framework for assigned water capacity in accordance with the City of Kitchener’s building permit application and development application approval processes, to support development that promotes sustainable growth and prosperity for the City.
The Policy applies to development which meets the following criteria:
- Any development where an extension, upgrade, and/or provision of a new main line/water supply is required, except where exempted;
- The creation of one or more new lots/blocks or units through a plan of subdivision, vacant land condominium description, part lot control exemption, or a “Certificate of Official” for a consent/severance approved pursuant to the Planning Act;
- Any building permit or development application for any development except where exempted;
- All lands subject to existing draft approved plans of subdivision, that do not have a valid Regional servicing agreement confirming water servicing, and/or lands which will not be subject to a future tripartite Forward Looking Servicing Agreement with the Region and the City.
To learn more, please review the staff report.
Water allocation process
- Please complete a Water Capacity Application Form.
- Issuance of assigned water capacity shall be determined based on the City of Kitchener Prioritization Framework, and where applicable, the secondary criteria established in the Policy, and available water capacity.
- On a quarterly basis, or more frequently as applicable, where the Region has provided new water capacity available for allocation by the City, the City will review all Water Capacity Application Forms and issue a Water Allocation Confirmation Letter and/or a Forward-Looking Servicing Agreement for a Development in accordance with the Policy.
- You will receive a Water Allocation Confirmation Letter, which must be signed and returned to the City electronically to planning.applications@kitchener.ca.
- The City will sign the Water Allocation Confirmation Letter, confirming the final decision for a Development, and return a fully executed copy to you.
To have your project reviewed for assigned water allocation, please complete a Water Capacity Application Form upon submission of your complete development application or building permit application.
The water capacity application form will be used to calculate the requested water demand on the system and will be used for tracking and reporting of assigned water capacity. Water allocation for Kitchener developments will be dependent on the available water supply capacity provided by the Region, and adherence with the Policy and the City of Kitchener Prioritization Framework which forms a part of the Policy.
The Region of Waterloo has committed to updating the community as more information becomes available. You can stay informed on this issue by going to the Region’s website at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/watercapacity.
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.