The City has an incentive program from properties that manage rainwater sustainably. Sustainable rainwater management allows the community to use rain as a resource. This helps developed water sheds mimic the function of natural systems.
Available Rebates and Credits
Low Density Residential Properties
If you own and reside in a home with one to four units, you can apply for a rebate to help with upfront installation costs. All other low density residential properties may be eligible for ongoing credit. The best time to take advantage of the rebates is when you are already planning to do improvements to your property.
Rebates between $35 and $1,500 to assist with the upfront cost of installing rainwater management methods are available for owner-occupied properties. All low density residential properties can receive a 10 per cent credit off the annual stormwater utility bill.
Please review the Rainwater Management Standard. Rainwater standards have been developed for:
rain barrels
cisterns
rain gardens
infiltration chambers
permeable pavement
Bioswales must be completed by a professional. These standards must be followed when applying for Rainwater Rewards.
Please submit your application before you begin work and have electronic copies of plans ready for submission. If you completed work prior to May 2015, you may apply for annual credits, but not rebates. If you are applying for completed work, please have electronic copies of receipts, photos and plan for submission.
Multi-Family, Business and Institutional Properties
If you use an approved rainwater management method on your property, you can apply for 2.5 to 50 per cent off your annual stormwater utility bill. This applies to all property types.
The City offers ongoing credits. Rebates are not available for these properties, but the credit amounts are larger. Approved methods include:
cisterns
rain gardens
infiltration
permeable paving
bioswales
green roofs
education (business and institutions only)
To apply, review the Rainwater Management Standards for Professionals. All projects for these property types must be done by professionals and standards must be followed.
Please submit an application before construction to ensure your project qualifies for a credit. Properties with existing rainwater management methods (prior to May 2015) may be eligible for credit. Please contact stormwater@victoria.ca for more information.
Permeable paving – rock reservoir – no other flow received
25
15.0
50
20.0
75
25.0
90
30.0
Permeable paving – rock reservoir – other flow received
25
25
17.5
50
25
20.0
75
25
22.5
90
25
25.0
25
50
22.5
50
50
25.0
75
50
27.5
90
50
30.0
25
75
27.5
50
75
30.0
75
75
32.5
90
75
35.0
25
90
32.5
50
90
35.0
75
90
37.5
90
90
40.0
Infiltration Chamber / Rain Garden / Bioswale
Minimum Roof Area directed to RMM (%)
Minimum Impervious Area directed to RMM (%)
Credit (%)
25
5.0
50
10.0
75
15.0
90
20.0
25
15.0
25
25
17.5
50
25
20.0
75
25
22.5
90
25
25.0
50
20.0
25
50
22.5
50
50
25.0
75
50
27.5
90
50
30.0
75
25.0
25
75
27.5
50
75
30.0
75
75
32.5
90
75
35.0
90
30.0
25
90
32.5
50
90
35.0
75
90
37.5
90
90
40.0
Rainwater Management Methods
The following methods are part of the Rainwater Rewards program.
Rain barrels and cisterns can be used to collect rainwater for reuse. The larger your system is, the more water is kept out of the stormwater system. In Victoria, most of the rain falls in the spring and autumn. However, the watering needs are highest in the summer, so it is beneficial to have a large storage capacity. The collected, non-potable water can be used to water gardens and lawns, or indoors in toilets and urinals.
Rain Barrels
A rain barrel is a specialized container connected to the downspout from a building. It is designed to collect and store rainwater for reuse.
Cisterns
Cisterns (or holding tanks) collect rainwater with a higher storage capacity than rain barrels. They can be elevated, placed at ground level or buried underground. A dispersal or irrigation system allows for reuse of this water.
Infiltration chambers are underground tanks or pipes. They have small holes that slowly release water into the ground over time. They primarily act to slowly return rainwater to the natural water table. This water is not reused. They can be designed to clean the water.
Permeable paving is hard surfacing that allows rain to flow through the surface and into the soil below. Permeable paving can be used instead of standard asphalt and concrete for surfacing sidewalks, driveways or parking areas. It can add character to your site while maintaining access and durability for vehicles and foot traffic. It can improve water quality by slowing runoff and breaking down pollutants that would otherwise enter our local waterways.
There are a variety of permeable paving options, including:
paving blocks, cobblestones or interlocking concrete pavers
concrete or fibrous grid systems filled with sand, gravel or plants
specialty mixes of permeable concrete and asphalt
grass strips in the middle of a driveway (driveway planting strips)
A rain garden is a shallow depression. It uses soil and plants to manage run off from hard areas such a roofs, roads and driveways. The plants and a layer of absorbent compost can hold several inches of rainwater and allow the stormwater to slowly seep into the ground. You can improve the look of your home and help the environment by incorporating rain gardens into your yard.
Rain gardens mimic nature by collecting, absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff. The first inch of rainfall, also known as the first flush, is responsible for most of the pollutants in stormwater runoff. A rain garden temporarily holds this first flush to filter out many of the common pollutants in the stormwater, such as oil or chemicals.
Bioswales are sloped channels that are designed to clean and slow down the rain and runoff coming from an area. There are different types of bioswales, including grassed channels, dry swales and wet swales. They often use native plants or plants that are drought resistant and are also able to handle large amounts of water.
A green roof is a specially designed garden that has been planted on top of a waterproof membrane on your roof. Green roofs clean and slow rainwater, while also absorbing some flow before it enters the stormwater system. They also provide insulation, which can reduce heating costs.
Green roofs are classified into two categories:
Extensive green roofs have a shallow soil profile of 100 mm (4") to 150 mm (6") and support mosses, grasses and sedums
Intensive green roofs with soil depths greater than 150 mm (6") are able to support shrubs, trees, vegetables, etc. – increasing the depth of absorbent soil increases the retention capacity
Education about rainwater management practices is important as we look to create awareness of these sustainable practices.
