Residential properties can apply through the my permits portal:
- sign in or create an account
- you will need your water account number
Apply for a stormwater credit
Get up to 45% off the stormwater fee on your utility bill when you manage rainwater on your property.
On this page:
- Who can apply
- How the credit works
- How to apply
- Credits for residential properties
- Credits for multi-unit or non-residential properties
- Contact us
Who can apply
You can apply if you own:
- a single home or duplex
- a multi-unit or non-residential property, such as an apartment, school or business
You’ll need your 7-digit water account number to apply.
How the credit works
The City of Waterloo’s stormwater credit program rewards property owners who reduce runoff entering the city’s stormwater system. Learn about stormwater and how the city manages it.
Credits are based on the amount of rainwater your property captures or filters before it reaches storm drains.
You can earn up to 45% off the stormwater charge on your utility bill.
Download and complete the appropriate form:
Mail completed forms to:
Waterloo Service Centre
c/o Stormwater Credit Program
265 Lexington Court
P.O. Box 337, Station Waterloo
Waterloo, ON, N2J 4A8
Residential properties
Stormwater credits are based on how much rainwater you capture and divert from the stormwater system.
Credit levels by volume of rainwater captured:
- 200–400 L → 9% credit
- 401–800 L → 18% credit
- 801–2000 L → 27% credit
- 2001–3200 L → 36% credit
- 3201 L or more → 45% credit
How to earn credits
You can earn credits by installing one or more approved stormwater management practices on your property.
Rain barrels and cisterns collect rainwater from your roof for later use, such as watering your garden.
To qualify for a stormwater credit, your setup must meet these requirements:
Requirements
- holds at least 200 litres (52 gallons)
- sits on a flat, stable surface
- has a covered, leak-free barrel
- includes a screen over the opening to keep out debris
- connects securely to your downspout
- includes at least two barrels connected in sequence or separately
- drains overflow onto a grassed or garden area, not a driveway or other paved surface
Tips
- disconnect and empty barrels before winter to prevent cracking
- raise the barrel a few inches for better water flow
- drain after each rainfall to make room for more water
Trees help manage stormwater by catching rainfall on their leaves and branches, and by letting water soak into the soil through their roots. They also help prevent erosion.
To qualify for a tree credit, your property must have a certain amount of tree cover, measured by the total diameter of trunks at breast height (about 1.3 m above the ground).
Tip: Keep your trees healthy with regular watering and mulching to maintain their stormwater benefits.
| Credit Level | Approximate tree coverage | Total trunk diameter | Credit volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | about 5 large trees (trunk the size of a dinner plate or bigger) | more than 130 cm (50 inches) combined | 200 L |
| Level 2 | about 13 large trees (trunk the size of a dinner plate or bigger) | more than 330 cm (130 inches) combined | 500 L |
Infiltration galleries, soakaway pits, dry wells and French drains
These systems let clean rainwater soak into the ground instead of running off into storm drains. They help recharge groundwater and reduce flooding.
An infiltration gallery (also called a soakaway pit, dry well or French drain) is usually an underground pit filled with stone or gravel. It stores rainwater temporarily and lets it slowly absorb into the soil.
Tips
- keep at least 5 metres away from your house to prevent basement flooding
- make sure nothing blocks the flow of water into the pit or chamber
- route downspouts directly into the gallery
- install gutter guards to prevent debris from clogging the system
Permeable pavers let rainwater soak through gaps between stones into the gravel and soil below. This reduces runoff and helps filter pollutants before the water reaches storm drains.
Common permeable materials include:
- paving stones or interlocking pavers (nonporous but spaced to allow drainage)
- pervious concrete or porous asphalt
Tips
- choose pavers with wider gaps than traditional paving stones
- use loose gravel, not sand, between and beneath pavers
- include at least 30 cm (1 ft) of stone base underneath to store stormwater
- note that solid patio stones or systems without spacing and gravel bases don’t qualify for stormwater credits
A rain garden is a shallow, planted area that collects rainwater from roofs or driveways. It helps water soak into the ground instead of running off into storm drains, creeks and rivers.
To qualify for a stormwater credit, your rain garden must:
- hold a measurable volume of water on your property
- receive runoff directly from a hard surface, such as a roof or driveway
- allow water to soak into the soil within 72 hours after rainfall
Learn more about building a rain garden at the Reep Green Solutions website.
You can also visit our demonstration rain garden at the Waterloo Service Centre from May to October, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ask at the customer service desk to be directed to the garden.
Multi-unit or non-residential properties
Multi-unit or non-residential property owners can earn up to 45% credit on their stormwater fee, based on the types of stormwater controls on your site.
Attach a copy of your stormwater management report, if available, when applying.
How to earn credits
The credit is based on three categories:
- Flood reduction → up to 25% credit
- Pollution control → up to 15% credit
- Education → up to 5% credit
Flood controls help manage the amount of stormwater that flows into the city’s system during heavy rain. These features slow down runoff and reduce the risk of flooding.
Examples include:
- Rooftop storage: flat roofs that temporarily hold rainwater and release it slowly through drains and downspouts
- Parking lot storage: designed areas that collect and hold water before it enters the stormwater system
- Underground storage: tanks or vaults that store runoff and release it gradually
- Stormwater management ponds: large ponds that collect runoff to prevent flooding
- Green roofs: roofs covered with soil and vegetation that absorb rainwater and reduce runoff
Pollution controls improve the quality of stormwater before it enters the city’s system. The credit you receive depends on how much pollution your system removes.
You can also earn additional credit (up to the 15% maximum) for other best management practices, such as a salt management plan or a paved area sweeping program.
| Level of treatment | Total suspended solids (TSS) removed | Maximum credit |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced | 80% or higher | 15% |
| Normal | about 70% | 10% |
| Basic | about 60% | 5% |
Examples of pollution controls
- Bioswales: vegetated channels that slow and filter runoff before it enters storm drains
- Oil/grit separators: underground structures that remove sediment, oil and debris from stormwater
- Paved area sweeping program: regular sweeping of paved surfaces to prevent sediment and litter from entering drains
- Salt management plan: certified through the Smart About Salt program to reduce salt use and protect water quality
- Stormwater management ponds: collect runoff and let sediment settle before releasing cleaner water
- Vegetated filter strips: gently sloped, planted areas that slow runoff and remove sediment before it reaches waterways
You can receive up to 5% credit for stormwater education programs that raise awareness about protecting the stormwater system.
Copies of all training or education materials must be submitted for review.
Examples of eligible programs
- Customer programs: businesses that share educational tools or information with customers whose activities may affect stormwater
- Employee programs: workplaces that train or educate staff about stormwater management
- Student programs: schools or post-secondary institutions that include stormwater management in lessons or display educational materials in visible areas
- Tenant or landlord programs: landlords who provide stormwater education materials to tenants
Contact us
If you have questions about the stormwater credit program:
- call 519-886-2310
- email stormwater@waterloo.ca