Research Talks

Research Talks: Water Crisis in Waterloo Region

Towards a sustainable water future in the Region of Waterloo

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Quick recap

This meeting was a public discussion on water conservation and groundwater management in the Waterloo region, featuring a panel of experts including Ellie Joseph (Mohawk Nation, Two Row on the Grand founder), David Rudolph (University of Waterloo hydrogeology professor), Pam Law (Region of Waterloo Director of Water Capacity Projects), and Dustin Garrick (University of Waterloo water policy professor). The panelists discussed Indigenous perspectives on water stewardship, regional groundwater dependence, municipal water infrastructure planning, and lessons from other groundwater-dependent communities. Key topics included the region's 80% dependence on groundwater from the Waterloo Moraine, successful water conservation efforts reducing per capita usage to 150 liters per day, challenges with aquifer recharge monitoring, and the need for integrated land and water planning. The discussion addressed concerns about water supply sustainability, climate change impacts, data center water usage, and the importance of including Indigenous perspectives in water management decisions.

Water Conservation and Indigenous Perspectives

Charmaine Dean, Vice President Research at the University of Waterloo, opened a discussion on water conservation and protection, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives and the spiritual connection to water. The event featured panelists including Ellie Joseph from the Mohawk Nation, who discussed the Two Row on the Grand initiative, and University of Waterloo professors David Rudolph, Pam Law, and Dustin Garrick, who addressed topics such as hydrogeology, municipal water management, and global water governance. The format included short presentations from each speaker followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A session.

Indigenous Water Awareness Program

Ellie Joseph shared her background as a member of the Mohawk Turtle Clan and discussed her grassroots program "Two Row on the Grand" which has been running for 12 years, involving paddling trips down the Grand River to raise awareness about water issues. She explained the significance of wampum belts, particularly the two-row wampum treaty representing the relationship between Indigenous peoples and newcomers, and drew parallels between human relationships and the relationship between humans and water. Ellie emphasized the importance of addressing the current water crisis for seven future generations and highlighted how her program has won an award for tourism sustainability due to its environmental practices.

Groundwater Resources in Waterloo Region

The speaker discussed the importance of groundwater as a resource, noting that it represents 30% of total global water volume and over 90% of available liquid fresh water. They explained how the Waterloo Region depends heavily on groundwater, with 80% of water coming from well networks, and described the local Waterloo Moraine's role in storing and transmitting groundwater. The presentation covered the historical development of groundwater infrastructure in the region, including early artesian wells from the 1900s and the current system of 100+ production wells, as well as modern approaches to managed aquifer recharge, including minimal impact urban landscapes and the use of vacated sand and gravel pits.

Water Supply Management in Waterloo

The meeting focused on water supply and management in the Waterloo region, with presentations from multiple speakers discussing different aspects of the water infrastructure and challenges. Dave provided insights into the complexity of the groundwater system and sustainable water management, while Pam explained the regional approach to water supply planning, including treatment processes and system design considerations. The presentations highlighted the region's successful water conservation programs and the multi-year process required to identify and develop new water supplies, with the next public engagement session scheduled for November. The final speaker shared broader Canadian and international perspectives on groundwater dependence, emphasizing the importance of demand management and lessons from other regions facing water scarcity challenges.

Water Crisis Management in Waterloo

The panel discussed the water crisis in the Waterloo region, highlighting conservation efforts that have reduced per capita water use to around 150–200 litres per day and the importance of public communication about water issues. The discussion covered groundwater management challenges, including well interference concerns and the need for better integration of land and water planning. Panelists addressed questions about climate change impacts on water consumption, data centre water usage, and the region's approach to managing groundwater recharge, emphasizing their use of historical examples from other communities like Albuquerque and Zurich to inform current solutions.