The City of Guelph is creating a new water and wastewater allocation policy and bylaw to ensure best management of its permitted servicing capacity and provide greater transparency as to how servicing allocation decisions are made around new housing. The policy is in development, and we need public input to finalize the details. Here’s what you need to know:
Who will the policy affect?
This mainly affects new housing construction. The policy will set rules for how water supply and wastewater treatment servicing allocations are given to new developments. Further, the policy will come to define timelines where servicing allocations may come to lapse and be reclaimed should housing construction not proceed post planning approvals.
Why is this policy important?
The policy aims to speed up the building of new homes and manage old projects that have legacy service allocations but aren’t being built. This follows changes to the Municipal Act by Bill 185, which promotes a “Use it or Lose it” approach.
How can you get involved?
To help make the water supply and wastewater treatment servicing capacity policy best serve the development community, landowners and Guelph residents, we want your feedback.
We completed the first phase of community engagement in June 2025. The summary report of the feedback is available. The second phase of community engagement was completed in September 2025, followed by the third phase from October to December. The summary report of the feedback is available.
Visit Have Your Say to sign up for project updates and participate in the engagement opportunities.