Absorbent landscaping

Absorbent landscaping is slightly sunken area filled with grass, plants and soil that helps absorb stormwater.

Absorbent landscaping looks similar to grassed areas and can include other plants and trees. The landscaped area may contain a slightly sunken area and is built with specially blended soils designed to help hold water during and after a rainfall.

Illustration of a downspout draining into absorbent landscaping

Please note this figure is provided for illustrative purposes/reference only and may not represent a suitable configuration for your specific property. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their project is designed and installed considering the unique conditions of their property.

ON THIS PAGE

Benefits of absorbent landscaping
Rebate eligibility
Rebate amount
Requirements
- Project requirements
- Application and claim requirements
Resources
- How to calculate absorbent landscaping area
- Additional resources
Application and claim forms

Benefits of absorbent landscaping

Gives plant roots space to grow, leading to faster growth and resulting in lush, healthier lawns and gardens.
May require less maintenance with reduced watering and fertilizer needs, saving you time and money.
Enhances your property drainage, as absorbent landscaping can hold more water than regular sod lawns.
Helps prevent sewer backups and flooding during heavy rain by slowing down and reducing the amount of stormwater entering the drainage system.

task

Rebate eligibility

Multi-family residential
Industrial, commercial, and institutional

payments

Rebate amount

$11 per metre squared of directly connected impervious area (DCIA)

Requirements

Project requirements

To receive a RainWise rebate for absorbent landscaping, the following requirements must be met:

Receive runoff from an impervious surface (e.g. roof, patio, or driveway).
Have a minimum depth of 30 cm.
Not exceed a depth of 45 cm.
Constructed a minimum of three (3) meters away from building foundations.
Must not contradict the City of Edmonton Drainage Bylaw. Here is some relevant information from the bylaw related to the release of water:

Roof and foundation drainage from a property is not permitted to be discharged:
- onto a pervious ground surface within one (1) meter of the building;
- within 150 mm of an adjacent lot;
- within 150 mm of a City of Edmonton right-of-way (ROW);
- to a location where the water has the potential to adversely impact slope stability, unstable ground, a ravine; or
- to a location or in a manner that causes or could cause nuisance, hazard or damage.

Application and claim requirements

Make sure that you have all of the necessary photos and documents so that we can efficiently process your application and claim. View helpful tips for filling out your application.

Keep all project related receipts. EPCOR reserves the right to request project-related receipts for all RainWise projects to verify project completion and ensure program compliance.

Pre-construction application requirements

Project description
Before photos
Design sketch
Directly connected impervious area (DCIA)
Planned project size

Multi-family, industrial, commercial and institutional customers if available, please include:

Storm servicing plans
Lot grading plans

Claim requirements

Photos:

Completed work
After excavation

Resources

How to calculate absorbent landscaping area

Use the Absorbent Landscaping Sizing Tool to help calculate the size your landscaped area needs to be to store the runoff generated from your directly connected impervious area (DCIA). We recommend you try to capture 100% of the runoff generated.

Additional resources

Application and claim forms

Application form

Fill out this form to ensure your project is approved before you get started.

Claim form

Fill out this form if you have already been approved and have completed your project.

Questions?

Your questions and feedback are important to us.

Contact EPCOR

Email: rainwise@epcor.com