Water, Wastewater and Drainage Key Performance Indicators

Water, Wastewater & Drainage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Statistics

Water Loss

All municipalities experience some water loss in their system. Water loss can occur during watermain breaks, from small leaks in aging pipes, or when fire hydrants are used for firefighting or street cleaning. This measure shows Regina’s water loss calculation, which is essentially the difference between how much treated water the City purchases from Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant and how much water the City bills to residents and businesses.

While complete elimination of all water loss is not achievable, reducing water loss helps protect precious treated water resources and keeps the City’s utility costs lower over time.

The City has been investing in the renewal of aging pipes and on average, the City continues to see improvement in water loss. However, with water breaks as the leading contributor to water loss, any given year can be significantly influenced by weather conditions. Regina’s 5-year average of water breaks is 381 per year. In 2024, the City experienced 374 water breaks, while in 2025, there were 426 breaks, which was higher than the average and contributed to the increase in water loss for 2025.

Additionally, in 2025 the City’s Water Network Expansion Project required extra water for the purpose of commissioning two new water reservoirs which accounted for approximately 2 per cent of the increase in water loss.

Water Pipes Renewed

Renewed water pipes are pipes that have either been replaced with a new pipe or relined. Many of Regina’s water pipes have exceeded their expected life and are prioritized for renewal based on their age, condition, material and proximity to other public renewal works.

The City’s Water Master Plan targets renewal of 10 kilometres of water pipe annually. This shows the actual number of kms of water pipe renewed each year.

In 2025, the 10 kilometres renewal goal was achieved, however the data indicates that the City, on average, is falling short of the annual target. The budget for this work has remained static, but inflationary pressures have decreased the total kilometers that can be achieved for the same budget.

Some fluctuations in exact kilometers are expected from year to year depending on the specific circumstances around each pipe and depending on construction methodology. For example, relining an existing pipe through trenchless methodology is less expensive than open excavation construction for pipe replacement, however not all pipes are suitable for this methodology.

Lead Water Service Connection Removals

This measure represents the total number of City-owned lead service connections (LSC) removed from the City’s inventory each year. In 2021, City Council approved an accelerated 15-year LSC removal program. A service connection is a pipe that brings drinking water from the City’s water system into a home or building. In some older neighbourhoods, these service connections were originally made of lead. According to Health Canada, no amount of lead exposure is considered safe, and even low levels can be harmful. Lead can enter the body when one drinks or cooks with water that has passed through an LSC.

To replace all City-owned LSCs by 2036, on average, 220 LSCs should be removed each year.

The chart indicates that the City continues to achieve the target of an average of 220 removals per year such that the 2036 completion date will be achieved. As the program has progressed, annual budgets have been adjusted to ensure sufficient funding is available to complete the needed removals. The City has also expanded the number of approved contractors for this work, which increases industry capacity to complete replacements each year.

Wastewater Pipes Renewed

The City renews aging wastewater pipes primarily by CIPP (Cured-in-Place Pipe) which essentially creates a new pipe inside the old pipe. This is a common trenchless technology that does not require excavation and results in an extremely strong and jointless new pipe that adds 50 years of life expectancy.

Renewing aging wastewater pipes is important as over time aged pipes can fail, leading to blockages, sewer backups, sinkholes and environmental contamination.

This measure identifies the annual number of kilometers that have been relined for both small diameter (less than 750 mm) and large diameter (greater than 750mm) wastewater pipes.

When the City relines large diameter pipes, we can complete fewer kilometers in a year as the work is substantially more complex and requires large bypass pumping systems to ensure wastewater service is maintained for residents. Accordingly, the cost to complete large diameter relining is substantially more, whereas in years where smaller diameter pipes are relined, more can be completed.

In 2024, a large amount of small diameter pipe was able to be completed, resulting in a larger proportion of the total wastewater pipes renewed.

The 2025 results are substantially lower as work on the largest diameter wastewater pipe in the City was undertaken and will continue into 2026 prior to completion.

Wastewater Released to the Environment (Millions of Litres)

This measure tracks the volume of wastewater discharged to Wascana Creek through a wastewater bypass. Monitoring bypass volumes is important because bypasses occur when the system is unable to fully convey or treat wastewater, often during heavy rainfall, infrastructure strain or emergency situations. Tracking this measure helps the City understand system vulnerabilities, protect water quality and reduce environmental impacts on Wascana Creek. It also supports regulatory compliance, informs infrastructure planning and ensures the City can take action to minimize future bypass events to safeguard public health and the environment.

Upgrades to the wastewater collection system, including the construction of the third force main and the McCarthy Boulevard Pumping Station, have significantly reduced both the likelihood and volume of wastewater bypasses. Between 2019 and 2025, these investments prevented more than 150 million litres of wastewater from being discharged into Wascana Creek.

2476 Victoria Avenue
Regina, SK, S4P 3C8
306-777-7000