By reducing the amount of stormwater runoff that flows from your property into our drainage systems, you can qualify for a credit for up to 45% of your monthly stormwater utility fee.

Apply for a residential credit online

On this page:

  1. Residential credits
  2. Apply for a residential credit
  3. Non-residential credits
  4. Our stormwater credit policy

Residential credits

You can earn a credit on your home’s stormwater utility fee by using measures like:

  • rain barrels
  • cisterns
  • infiltration galleries
  • rain gardens
  •  permeable pavers

Complete our online residential application for your:

  • single-detached home
  • semi-detached home
  • townhome
  • condominium
  • duplex, triplex, four-plex and five-plex homes

You can also apply by email or by mail.

Basic residential credit

The basic credit is earned by capturing between 200 and 800 litres of stormwater, earning a 20 per cent credit on your stormwater utility fee.

Examples of what could earn this credit:

  • 1-4 rain barrels
  • a small cistern

Normal residential credit

The normal credit is earned by capturing between 801 and 3,200 litres of stormwater, earning a 30 per cent credit on your stormwater utility fee.

Examples of what could earn this credit:

  • a cistern
  • a combination of small cisterns and rain barrels

Enhanced residential credit

The enhanced credit is earned by capturing more than 3,200 litres of stormwater, earning a 45 per cent credit on your stormwater utility fee.

Examples of what could earn this credit:

  • a large cistern
  • an infiltration gallery

Apply for a residential credit

You can apply for a residential stormwater credit:

  • online
  • by email
  • by mail

Apply online

Complete the online application form. You'll need these documents:

  • a copy of your utility bill
  • the measurements of the stormwater practices you’ll use

Apply by email

Email the completed application form to our stormwater team.

Apply by mail

Mail the completed application form to our stormwater team at:

Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities Division
Kitchener Operations Facility
131 Goodrich Drive
Kitchener, ON
N2C 1J3

Non-residential credits

Complete our non-residential application if you own one of the following property types:

  • industrial
  • commercial
  • retail
  • institutional
  • multi-residential buildings with more than five dwelling units.

You can earn a combination of quality, quantity and education credits for a maximum credit of 45 per cent of your monthly fee.

Quality credit

Stormwater runoff often picks up particles from paved surfaces, degrading the quality of the water. You can earn a quality credit by lowering the amount of material that stormwater picks up through a combination of filter strips, paved area sweeping programs and salt management programs.

You can earn one of three quality credits:

  • basic: for removing 60% of the suspended particles in your runoff you will receive a 5% credit
  • normal: for removing 70% of the suspended particles in your runoff you will receive a 10% credit
  • enhanced: for removing 80% of the suspended particles in your runoff you will receive a 15% credit

Quantity credit

This credit is based on the amount of impervious area that directs water to an approved management practice. The maximum quantity credit is 25%.

Education credit

Education credits are available for non-residential property owners. To earn the 5% credit you must educate employees, the public or students about flood prevention and pollution reduction.

 Educating employees
  • Devote fifteen minutes per quarter (or an hour annually) to educating employees about flood prevention and pollution reduction. Additionally, provide basic stormwater management information to new employees;
  • Post stormwater and water quality specific educational information obtained from the city, provincial/federal environmental agencies, or from any other reputable educational resource center in employee frequented areas. Information posted must be clearly visible; and
  • Distribute stormwater and water quality specific literature obtained from the city, provincial/federal environmental agencies, or from any other reputable educational resource center to all employees on a quarterly basis.
 Educating the public
Share stormwater and water quality specific literature obtained from the city, provincial/federal environmental agencies, or from any other reputable educational resource center to customers on a quarterly basis using high traffic area kiosks, advertised special events, customer mailings, product label advertisements, public service announcements, advertisements, educational curricula, or other mass distribution techniques.
 Educating students and/or school employees
  • Devote two hours per half (four hours annually) to educating one grade level of students (or split between two grade levels) about water quality awareness and protection.
  • Devote fifteen minutes per quarter (or an hour annually) to educating employees about water quality awareness and protection. Additionally, provide basic stormwater management information to new employees;
  • Post stormwater and water quality specific educational information obtained from the city, provincial/federal environmental agencies, or from any other reputable educational resource center to student and employees frequented areas. Information posted must be clearly visible;
  • Distribute stormwater and water quality specific literature obtained from the city, provincial/federal environmental agencies, or from any other reputable educational resource center to target students and all employees on an annual basis.
 Requirements
  1. All education materials to be used in presentations, pamphlets, to be posted etc. must be reviewed and approved by the city before use in this program. The city will assist with providing materials;
  2. Topics for all programs must rotate on at least an annual basis. For educational institutions topics may become part of the curriculum for the same grade level each year;
  3. Annual self-certification reports are mandatory so that new materials can be reviewed by the city each year;
  4. Copies of disseminated materials must be provided to the city along with estimates of the number of people reached in each annual self-certification report;
  5. As part the annual self-certification reports, please include information regarding:
    • The audience(s) that will receive this training;
    • How the information will be disseminated;
    • Program and/or agenda for topic(s) covered during each session;
    • The number of attendees, time(s), place(s), along with confirmation that a 50% employee participation goal was met.
  6. Pre and post session surveys are recommended for all education sessions; and
  7. Describe where stormwater and water quality-specific educational information will be posted (provide picture if possible).
 Resources

Paved areas sweeping program

To receive a credit for a paved area sweeping program you must submit a detailed paved area sweeping plan that:

  • defines the areas being swept
  • how often it will be swept – at least twice a month
  • how you’ll dispose of debris
  • the type of sweeper used
  • documentation of the plan being implemented

Proof of the plan being implemented can be paid invoices, employee timesheets or a signed certification of work by the sweeping company.

Salt management plans

To receive a credit for a salt management plan you must use a Smart About Salt certified contractor. If your property is a business and you want your employees to maintain the site, they must become certified through the Smart About Salt program.

The program teaches property owners how to maintain safe winter conditions while using the least amount of salt possible. Learn more about the program from the Smart About Salt website.

Our stormwater credit policy

Send us an email to download a copy of our stormwater credit policy.