Download and complete the appropriate form:
Email your completed form to stormwater_accounts@waterloo.ca.
Apply for a stormwater credit
The stormwater credit program rewards property owners who reduce runoff entering the city’s stormwater system.
Get up to 45% off the stormwater fee on your utility bill when you manage rainwater on your property.
We are currently only accepting stormwater credit applications by email and mail.
On this page:
- How the credit works
- Who can apply
- How to apply
- Credits for residential properties
- Credits for multi-residential or non-residential properties
- Contact us
How the credit works
The City of Waterloo’s stormwater credit program rewards property owners who reduce runoff entering the city’s stormwater system. You can earn up to 45% off the stormwater charge on your utility bill.
Credits are based on the amount of rainwater your property captures or filters before it reaches storm drains.
Learn about stormwater and how the city manages it.
Who can apply
You will need your 7-digit water account number to apply.
You can apply if you own:
- a single home or duplex
- a multi-residential or non-residential property, such as an apartment building, business, industrial property or institution
You are eligible if:
- your stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are on the property you’re requesting credit for, and only serve that property
- your BMPs are designed, constructed and maintained to municipal, provincial and federal standards
- your BMPs meet all city-approved Functional Performance Standards
- your BMPs are maintained and and do not affect city infrastructure, neighbouring properties or the environment
- you will not use credits to offset costs for new or redevelopment projects
Keep your credit
If your approved BMP stops working or is removed, you'll lose your stormwater credit and your stormwater rate will return to the original amount.
To transfer credits to another property or to a new owner, you must submit a new application.
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. You can combine multiple Best Management Practices (BMPs) on your property to receive a higher credit.
Credit levels by volume of rainwater captured:
- 200 to 500 L → 9% credit
- 501 to 1000 L → 18% credit
- 1001 to 2100 L → 27% credit
- 2101 to 2260 L → 36% credit
- 3361 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
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.
Note: Any underground stormwater control(s) installed with the initial housing development exist to meet regulatory drainage requirements and do not qualify for the stormwater credit program.
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-residential or non-residential
Multi-residential 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.
All applications must include a copy of the property’s stormwater management report.
How to earn credits
The credit is based on three categories:
- quantity control → up to 25% credit
- quality control → up to 15% credit
- pollution prevention → up to 5% credit
Quantity control credit - up to 25%
Quantity 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
Quality control credit - up to 15%
Quality controls reduce the amount of sediment and hazardous materials in stormwater before it enters the city’s system. The credit you receive depends on how much pollution your system removes.
| 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 and grit separators: underground structures that remove sediment, oil and debris from stormwater
- 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
Pollution prevention credit - up to 5%
You can also earn additional credit (up to 5%) for other Best Management Practices (BMPs), such as a salt management plan.
A salt management plan is certified through the Smart About Salt program to reduce salt use and protect water quality.
Contact us
If you have questions about the stormwater credit program:
- call 519-886-2310
- email stormwater@waterloo.ca