Regina caps data-centre wastewater access as Bell water deal takes shape
Regina, Saskatchewan · Meeting date: October 28, 2026 · Published: October 29, 2026
Regina says Bell AI Fabric's initial data-centre project can be accommodated on its water network at demand equivalent to about 175 residents. But the city has rejected a wastewater connection, citing insufficient capacity for future municipal growth.
Key points
- Bell is negotiating an extra-municipal water-servicing agreement for domestic use and fire flows, with a connection proposed near Wascana Parkway and Park Street.
- The initial water-servicing application would generate about C$6 million in development charges, while metered supply outside city limits would carry a 75% utility surcharge.
- Bell would construct and maintain a new watermain south along the Park Street right-of-way to its site.
- Regina refused Bell's wastewater-connection request because it determined future city growth requires the available wastewater capacity; Bell has said it will use on-site holding tanks and seek access to the city's hauled-wastewater site.
Full report
Regina has drawn a clear distinction between potable-water supply and wastewater capacity for Bell AI Fabric's data-centre campus in the RM of Sherwood, determining that its initial water request can be accommodated while refusing a sewer connection to protect capacity for future city growth.
City Council approved removal of the first part of its earlier data-centre motion from its outstanding-items list after receiving administration's assessment of the project. The campus itself is outside Regina's jurisdiction, but falls partly within the municipalities' joint and collaborative planning areas, requiring referral by the RM of Sherwood.
Bell is negotiating an extra-municipal water-servicing agreement with Regina for domestic purposes and fire flows. Under the proposed arrangement, the city would provide a connection near Wascana Parkway and Park Street, while Bell would build and maintain a new watermain running south along the Park Street right-of-way to the development site.
Administration put the initial project's annual water use at the equivalent of approximately 175 residents, which it considers a low impact that the city can accommodate. The water is sourced from Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant; the city said the requested volume would not affect Buffalo Pound Lake.
If the agreement is signed, Regina expects to receive approximately C$6 million in development-charge payments for the initial scope. As an extra-municipal customer, Bell's metered connection would also be subject to a 75% utility surcharge. The city said development charges would be allocated to its development-charge reserves for growth-related utility, transportation, parks and recreation infrastructure, although the wastewater component would be excluded because the campus is not connecting to the sewer system.
The wastewater position is more restrictive. Bell sought an extra-municipal wastewater-servicing agreement, but administration concluded that there was insufficient capacity to meet future growth needs within Regina and did not approve the request. Bell has stated publicly that it will manage wastewater on site through holding tanks and dispose of it at an approved septic receiving station. It has also requested access to Regina's hauled-wastewater site, which administration said has capacity for the development's domestic wastewater if discharge requirements are met.
The campus will not connect to Regina's stormwater system. Bell's development agreement with the RM requires post-development drainage not to exceed pre-development conditions, and administration said the project would likely use engineered drainage measures including swales, ditches and on-site holding ponds.
No formal extra-municipal servicing application has been received for Bell's proposed expansion. The city said any future application would be assessed in the same manner, with additional development charges applied to fund growth-related impacts while prioritising Regina residents and planned municipal growth.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Public, Regina