Guelph’s One Water Plan

About this project

The City of Guelph is developing its first integrated water management strategy, The Blueprint: Guelph’s One Water Plan. This plan represents a holistic, sustainable approach to managing Guelph’s water resources. Recognizing the interconnectedness of drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater, The Blueprint will view and treat all forms of water as part of a single, integrated system. This initiative is rooted in deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, wisdom, and stewardship traditions, emphasizing reciprocity and care.

Aligned with the City’s Strategic Plan (2024-2027), The Blueprint supports Guelph’s goals to protect and conserve water resources, enhance water efficiency, and ensure water availability for future generations. A vital part of this objective is developing an integrated water management strategy to meet the treated water reduction goals outlined in the City’s Water Supply Master Plan (2022) and Water Efficiency Strategy (2016). The City’s Official Plan Amendment 80 outlines a vision that the city’s population will reach 208,000 residents by 2051. Therefore, this strategy is essential for sustainable growth within the current urban boundaries.

This project will benefit natural systems and communities by:

  • managing water resources sustainably to help protect water quality and conserve drinking water supplies for future generations
  • helping to protect drinking water by determining solutions that minimize stormwater runoff and reduce contamination of rivers and lakes
  • increasing water efficiency to conserve drinking supplies
  • adapting to climate change
  • enhancing ecosystem health
  • improving community health and well-being
  • emphasizing wastewater as a resource (and not waste)

Project activities

Situational analysis and review of initiatives – in progress

The project begins with the research and analysis phase. The Situational Analysis involves reviewing the City of Guelph’s current water management strategies and plans to identify and understand water, wastewater, and stormwater services, and identify connected initiatives. The Review of Initiatives involves reviewing integrated water management programs and initiatives from other municipalities to identify promising practices at a local, regional, provincial, national, and international scale. This research aims to present ideas and identify areas for improvement to be considered in the Strategic Direction.

Strategic direction

The project team will begin to develop the Strategic Direction, which will define the vision, goals, objectives, target water demand reductions, and solutions or actions to be included in The Blueprint.

The Blueprint implementation plan

This involves developing a 10-year implementation plan for The Blueprint which will outline necessary budget investment and resources required for execution. Each action will be supported by a detailed business case to ensure that every initiative is practical and beneficial for the City’s population and environment.

Community engagement

Community engagement will be instrumental in shaping The Blueprint with participation from Indigenous communities, the public, Guelph’s innovation community, and City interest holders. Strategic Direction and The Blueprint Implementation Plan offer opportunities for community members to engage and collaborate, helping to shape the future direction of The Blueprint. Please check Have Your Say for engagement opportunities in 2025.

Final Blueprint Report

The final task is to prepare the full report. This task will provide opportunities for input and review.

Timelines

  • Review Current Strategies and Plans (Fall 2024-Winter 2024/2025)
  • Review Initiatives (Fall 2024-Winter 2024/2025)
  • The Blueprint Strategic Direction (Winter to Spring 2025)
  • The Blueprint Implementation Plan (Spring 2025)
  • Engagement (Winter to Spring 2025)
  • Final Blueprint Report (Spring to Summer 2025)

Resources

For more information

Josh McDonell, Project Manager
Project and Performance Specialist
Environmental Services, City of Guelph
226-332-0569
[email protected]