Charlottetown Water Supply Planning
Joshua McInnis, Richard MacEwen (Charlottetown Water and Sewer Utility)

The Charlottetown Water and Sewer Corporation has worked hard to manage water supply for the City since 1888. The last twenty years have presented a challenge as the Cityes water demand was approaching its supply capacity. By 2001 the Cityes water demand was exceeding 90% of the Cityes available water supply and by 2008 was at 98%. During the summer of 2012 there was a period where daily demand exceeded the Utilityes daily pumping capacity putting firefighting storage capacity at risk. The water supply challenge resulted in new development restrictions. New subdivisions were required to include onsite temporary water supplies to meet anticipated demand increases. Action was needed and it was decided that a two-pronged approach was best. Implement water demand side initiatives and increase water supply capacity.

Looking back over the last 10 years it is possible to see the benefits of Council supported decisions including requiring all new customers to be metered 2010, Summertime Water Use Restrictions 2012 and Universal Metering in 2013. The development of a new water supply source in 2018 has improved water supply capacity. Currently, water supply is not a limiting factor for future development. However, the City is planning for the future and will be exploring future water supply options.