The Region of Waterloo has announced the appointment of Ishtiaque Tunio as its new commissioner of water and wastewater services, a hire aimed at tackling the region’s continuing water capacity constraints in the Mannheim Service Area. Tunio will take up the position on Sept. 8, replacing interim commissioner Kenneth Brothers.
Experienced infrastructure executive to steer urgent work
Tunio brings a track record on large infrastructure projects, including work on the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor and Detroit, and senior leadership roles with the City of Mississauga, the City of Ottawa and Metrolinx. The Region says Tunio will work with municipal partners and the provincial government to accelerate upgrades and increase water supply where possible.
"I look forward to working alongside the region's dedicated staff, council, partners and the community to strengthen these essential services and ensure they continue to meet the needs of residents for generations to come,"
The appointment comes after a December 2025 regional announcement that there was insufficient water capacity to support new development within the Mannheim Service Area while still maintaining an emergency supply. The Mannheim area covers parts of several municipalities, a fact that has complicated the region’s planning and allocation of scarce water capacity.
What the Mannheim Service Area covers and why it matters
The Mannheim Service Area includes portions of multiple municipalities in the Region of Waterloo. The region’s assessment in late 2025 curtailed approvals for some new development until additional capacity or operational changes could be secured. That restriction has affected developers, municipal planners and residents awaiting new housing and commercial projects.
| Municipal areas in Mannheim Service Area |
|---|
| Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo |
| Parts of Cambridge |
| Wilmot and Woolwich townships |
In a subsequent update this year, the region said an additional 10 litres per second of capacity had been identified, allowing some development allocations to proceed sooner than previously expected. Regional Chair Karen Redman confirmed that the discovery of this incremental capacity would affect how quickly municipalities could receive water allocations.
Priorities and immediate tasks for the new commissioner
Officials say Tunio’s initial priorities will include:
- Working with the province and municipal partners to expedite water infrastructure projects;
- Assessing short-term operational changes to maximise existing capacity;
- Improving coordination across jurisdictions within the Mannheim Service Area.
Those tasks reflect a blend of technical, political and intergovernmental challenges. Water and wastewater services sit at the intersection of municipal planning, provincial approvals and significant capital investment — and the Mannheim constraint demonstrated how quickly regional policy and development timelines can be affected by supply limits.
Tunio’s background on projects such as the Gordie Howe Bridge and his leadership roles in large municipal and regional organisations are assets the region is emphasising. The Region’s release framed the appointment as a move to bring experienced leadership to a portfolio that has become critical for both growth management and public safety.
Local consequences and watch points for residents
For Waterloo residents, the appointment signals a continued focus on securing reliable water service as the city grows. Short-term outcomes to watch in the coming months include how the region allocates the newly identified 10 litres per second and whether additional operational or capital measures are announced to relieve constraints.
Longer term, residents and local councils will want clarity on timelines and costs for major upgrades — and how those costs will be apportioned across the region and the province. The new commissioner’s role will be to chart that course while navigating competing demands from municipalities inside the Mannheim service footprint.
As Tunio prepares to assume the post next month, the region faces the practical task of turning incremental capacity gains into tangible approvals for development and assuring residents that water supplies can meet present and future needs.
