🌧 Stormwater Charges and Rebates: What You Need to Know (Deadline June 1)

Many of you have reached out to express frustration about the City’s new stormwater charge—and I hear you. Like many rural and suburban residents, I strongly disagree with how this fee impacts households that are not connected to traditional stormwater infrastructure, especially compared to those who do receive those services.

I will continue to speak out strongly against what I believe is an unfair approach for rural residents not on the built system.

That said, I want to make sure you’re aware of a new rebate program that may help ease the financial burden for some property owners.

💧 Rain Ready Hamilton: Rebates for Stormwater Projects on Residential Properties

The Rain Ready Hamilton rebate program supports residents looking to tackle stormwater challenges right on their own properties. This program is open to homeowners of residential properties and designed to encourage practical, environmentally friendly projects—especially helpful for rural properties dealing with water runoff or in need of irrigation solutions.

Some of the eligible projects include:

• Rain gardens and bioswales

• Rainwater harvesting systems (great for those using irrigation)

• Permeable driveways

• Dry wells, green roofs, and even unique partnerships like wetland restoration

Whether you’re in a suburban area or managing water in a rural ditch system, this rebate can help you implement a low-impact development (LID) solution that benefits both your property and our environment.

🔍 Key Details:

• Open to residential properties only

• Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

• Program Focus: These rebates do not reduce your stormwater charge, but they do help fund landscape-based improvements to manage runoff and improve water quality on your property.

  
  

📄 Learn More & Apply:

Visit greenventure.ca/rain_ready_rebate for full details, project types, and how to apply.

Other programs for residents:

1. The City of Hamilton offers property owners of single-family residential homes a grant (subsidy) of up to $2000 for the disconnection of downspouts, installation of a backwater valve and other eligible works that help to reduce the risk of basement flooding. Downspout Disconnections | City of Hamilton (your home must be on the sewer system for this program)

2. Hamilton Watershed Stewardship Program (HWSP) About HWSP - Hamilton Conservation Authority

   
   

🗣 My Ongoing Commitment to Ward 11

While programs like Rain Ready Hamilton are a step in the right direction, they do not address the core inequity in how stormwater charges are applied. I remain committed to pushing for a fairer, more transparent approach that reflects the reality for rural and suburban property owners not on the built system.

In the meantime, I encourage you to explore this rebate program if you were considering upgrades on your property and apply if you’re eligible. If you need help navigating it or would like printed materials, don’t hesitate to contact our office or Green Venture directly.

Let’s work together to keep Ward 11 green, resilient—and treated fairly.

— Councillor Mark Tadeson

Ward 11, City of Hamilton