RainWise rebate program

Apply for a stormwater rebate through the RainWise Rebate Program for projects that can help reduce the risk of your property flooding during a major rainstorm event.

The RainWise Rebate Program is a three-year pilot program that makes it easier and more affordable for Edmonton residents to protect their properties from flooding and reduce flood risk in the community through effective stormwater management.

If you are a property owner or renter in Edmonton, you are eligible for rebates from EPCOR on projects that help manage stormwater on your property.

Rebates are available for projects that help to:

Reduce the quantity of stormwater entering the collection system.
Improve the quality of stormwater released into the collection system.
Prevent overland runoff and sewage from entering homes and businesses.

Eligibility
How to apply
Rebate amounts

Program eligibility

To be eligible for the RainWise Rebate program, you must be located within Edmonton and fit into one of the following customer classifications:

Single-family residential
Multi-family residential
Industrial, commercial or institutional

Eligibility and project requirements vary by project. See the RainWise project pages for details.

Stormwater management installations that are required as part of the development of a property or to remain in compliance with a property’s stormwater management requirements, do not qualify for the RainWise Rebate Program.

1. Get pre-approved

Before you move forward with any work, make sure your project is approved through the RainWise Rebate program.

Make sure your project meets our rebate requirements by reading through the specific project details page.
Submit your pre-construction application and view helpful tips for filling it out.
After you submit your pre-construction application, it may take up to 10 business days to hear if your project has been approved.
You may apply for more than one project at a time.
There is limited program funding each year and approvals are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If you are a renter, make sure you get permission from the property owner before submitting your application.

2. Complete your project

Complete your project by yourself or hire a contractor.
Keep all receipts.
Complete your project within one (1) year of the pre-construction approval date to remain eligible for the rebate.

3. Apply for reimbursement

Ensure you have all necessary photos and documentation (e.g. receipts) so your claim can be processed efficiently and accurately.
After you submit your claim form, it may take up to 10 business days to hear if your claim has been approved. View helpful tips for filling out your form.
Reimbursement for your project(s) will be provided within 6-8 weeks after your claim has been approved.
EPCOR reserves the right to request project-related receipts for all project types to verify project completion and ensure program compliance.

Rebate amounts

Rebates are issued to an applicant once a RainWise project is completed and approved. Rebates are provided at the following amounts:

Low Impact Development (LID) projects: $11 per square meter of directly connected impervious (hard surface) area.
Rain barrels: $0.25 per liter of stormwater storage.
Downspout disconnections: Up to $100 per downspout, based on receipts for eligible expenses.

Rebate amounts vary depending on customer type:

Single-family residential: Up to $2,000 per property
Multi-family residential: Up to $5,000 per property
Industrial, commercial and institutional: Up to $10,000 per property

Applicants can complete multiple RainWise projects on their property over the 3-year pilot period to a combined maximum across all options.

EPCOR’s existing backwater valve subsidy is available to single-family residential customers only and is excluded from the $2,000 rebate maximum.

RainWise rebate projects

Click on the cards for specific project requirements, rebate amounts and eligibility.

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Downspout disconnections

Detach your downspout from the standpipe that directs stormwater to the drainage system.

oil_barrel

Rain barrels and storage tanks

A rain barrel/storage tank is a container, often connected to a downspout, that collects and stores rainwater from a roof.

yard

Rain gardens and box planters

These gardens with specially blended soils are designed to collect stormwater runoff.

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Soakaway pits

Soakaway pits are holes typically filled with rocks or gravel that let water gradually seep into the ground.

road

Permeable pavement

Permeable pavement/pavers are specially designed hard surfaces that allow water to soak into the ground.

grass

Absorbent landscaping*

Landscaping that looks similar to grassed areas and can include other plants and trees.

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Soil cells*

Soil cells are plastic milk crate-like structures, which are filled with loose, specially blended soil, designed to be installed beneath hardscape surfaces.

RainWise projects marked with an * are for multi-family and industrial, commercial or institutional customers only.

Why is flood resiliency important?

Future changes in Edmonton’s climate could lead to increased instances of heavy rainfall and increase risk of flooding. This rainwater can be referred to as stormwater which also includes water from melting snow and hail. Stormwater runoff is the portion of this water that is not absorbed into the ground and goes into the stormwater and combined sewer systems.

One way to slow the entry of stormwater into the drainage system is through green infrastructure, which includes low impact development (LID). LID is a site development technique that aims to mimic natural processes to manage stormwater runoff close to its source. Examples of LID features include rain gardens, bioretention basins, box planters, soil cells, and absorbent landscaping. LID technique’s manage rainfall in ways similar to nature.

More flood prevention resources

EPCOR is working to make Edmonton more flood resilient. We’re making flood prevention more accessible through our RainWise Rebate program, free flood prevention home inspections, and backwater valve subsidies.