Proposed Credit Program What is the credit program? The proposed credit program will provide property owners with the opportunity to reduce their annual Stormwater Utility bill by up to 40% by managing rainwater on their property. Property owners can select the rainwater management methods that best match their site for a cumulative credit of up to 40%. Once your application has been accepted for a credit, it will be applied to your Stormwater Utility bill for five years. The following rainwater management techniques are being considered for the credit program for single family homes with 1 4 units: Rain Barrels and Cisterns Infiltration Chambers Permeable Paving Rain Gardens Green Roofs How can I apply for the credits? Property owners will be able to apply for credits starting in 2014, using an online or printable form. Once you have applied for a credit and it has been approved, the credit will be reflected on your annual stormwater utility bill. There will be an annual application deadline for credits. If you apply before the annual deadline, the credit will be taken off your annual stormwater utility bill for the current year. If you apply after the annual deadline, your credit will begin the following year. City staff will conduct random property visits to validate the existence and use of the rainwater management techniques and to ensure they are being maintained.
Rain Barrels and Cisterns Rain barrels and cisterns, or a combination of both, can be used to collect rainwater for reuse. The larger your system is, the more water will be kept out of the stormwater system, and the higher your credit will be. In Victoria, most of the rain falls in the spring and autumn, but the watering needs are highest in the summer so it is beneficial to have a larger storage capacity. The collected non-potable water can be used to water gardens and lawns or indoors in toilets and urinals. Rain Barrels What it does: A rain barrel is a specialized container, connected to the downspout from a building, that is designed to collect and store rainwater for reuse. Cisterns What it does: Cisterns or holding tanks collect rainwater and have a larger storage capacity than rain barrels. They can be elevated, placed at ground level or buried underground. A dispersal or irrigation system will allow for the reuse of this water. Small: Capacity 800 1500L General Must have some method to reuse water. An overflow from your rainwater storage system must be connected to the As an alternative, your rainwater storage system could be designed so it would flow into a rain garden, with an overflow into the Professional design not required. Medium: Capacity 1500 4200L General An overflow from your rainwater storage system must be connected to the As an alternative, your rainwater storage system could be designed so it would flow into a rain garden. The rain garden would then be required to have an overflow into the An irrigation system and/or dedicated pipes within your plumbing system are required to use the collected water on your property, in accordance with the building code. A permit is required if elevated or below ground. A structural engineer must be involved with all elevated systems. A reduced pressure backflow assembly is required on water service pipes. This requires annual testing. Above ground cisterns are subject to zoning regulations in regards to their location on the property. Large: Capacity > 4,200 L General An overflow from your rainwater storage system must be connected to the As an alternative, your rainwater storage system could be designed so it would flow into a rain garden. The rain garden would then be required to have an overflow into the An irrigation system or dedicated pipes within your plumbing system are required to use the collect water on your property. Professional design is required. A structural engineer is required for all elevated systems. Permit and inspection may be required. A reduced pressure backflow assembly is required on water service pipes. This requires annual testing. Above ground cisterns are subject to zoning regulations in regards to their location on the property.
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL Rain Barrels and Cisterns (continued) to view all guidelines and forms. 2. If applicable, work with a professional to design your system. 3. If applicable, apply for a permit with the City of Victoria. 4. Install your system. 5. If a permit is required, have a City inspection. 6. Apply for credit. Credit: Small: 5% Medium: 20% Large: 30%
Infiltration Chambers What it does: Infiltration chambers are underground tanks or pipes with small holes that are designed to slowly release water into the ground over time. They primarily act to slowly return rainwater to the natural water table. This water is not reused. They can be designed to help clean the water as well. These need to have a capacity of at least 4,200 litres to qualify for the Infiltration Chamber Credit. An infiltration chamber needs to be engineered to suit your property. The surrounding soils must be tested to ensure than they can absorb the rainwater from the infiltration gallery. An overflow from your infiltration chamber must be connected to the stormwater system, or to a rain garden with an overflow into the 2. Work with a qualified designer or contractor to develop a plan for your infiltration chamber. 3. Apply for a permit from the City of Victoria. 4. Install your infiltration chamber. 5. City inspection and approval. 6. Apply for credit. Credit: 30%
Permeable Paving What it does: Permeable paving is hard surfacing that allows rain to flow through the surface and into the soil below. Permeable paving can be used instead of standard asphalt and concrete for surfacing sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas. It can add character to your site while maintaining access and durability for vehicles and foot traffic. It can improve water quality by slowing runoff and breaking down pollutants that would otherwise enter our local waterways. For areas that require paving there are a variety of permeable options, including: paving blocks, cobble stones, or interlocking concrete pavers concrete, plastic or fibrous grid systems filled with sand, gravel or plants specialty mixes of permeable concrete and asphalt grass strips in the middle of a driveway (driveway planting strips) You must have a minimum of 20 m 2, to qualify for the credit program. Paving blocks and concrete pavers must meet permeable paving specifications, and follow installation instructions. If the area of permeable paving is over 40 m 2, a permit is required. You must also have a catchbasin, french drain or oil/grit separator, to clean the stormwater and an overflow connection to the 2. If your permeable paving area is greater than 40m 2, apply for a City of Victoria permit. 3. Install your permeable paving, following all installation instructions. 4. If a permit is required, have a City inspection. 5. Apply for credit. Credit: 15%
Rain Gardens What it does: A rain garden is a shallow depression that uses soil and plants to manage runoff from hard areas such as roofs, roads and driveways. The plants and a layer of absorbent compost can hold several inches of rainwater and allow the stormwater to slowly seep into the ground. You can improve the look of your home and help the environment by incorporating rain gardens into your yard. Rain gardens mimic nature by collecting, absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff. The first inch of rainfall, also known as the first flush, is responsible for most of the pollutants in stormwater runoff. A rain garden is designed to temporarily hold this first flush and naturally filter out many of the common pollutants in the stormwater, such as oil or chemicals. All rain gardens must be designed following City of Victoria rain garden guidelines. You need to pipe or direct water to your rain garden. Your rain garden must be the greater of 5 m 2 or 5% of the non-permeable area that drains to it. For example, if your roof is 200 m 2 and half of it drains to an area where you are planning to build a rain garden, your rain garden would have to be 5 m 2. Your rain garden must have an overflow connection to the 2. Work with a qualified designer or contractor to develop a plan for your rain garden. 3. Install your rain garden. 4. Apply for a credit. Credit: 20%
Green Roofs What it does: A green roof is a specially designed garden that has been planted on top of a waterproof membrane on your roof. Green roofs clean and slow rainwater, while also absorbing some of the flow before it enters the stormwater system. They also provide insulation which can reduce energy used for heating and cooling within your building. Green roofs are classified into two categories: extensive green roofs which typically have a shallow soil profile of 100 mm (4") to 150 mm (6") and support mosses, grasses and sedums; intensive green roofs with soil depths greater than 150 mm (6") able to support substantial vegetation (shrubs, trees, vegetables, etc.) Increasing the depth of absorbent soil increases the retention capacity of green roofs. All green roofs must be engineered specifically for your building. In order to qualify for the credit program the rain garden must be at least 22 m 2 or 237 ft 2. The downspout from your green roof must be connected to the stormwater system. As an alternative, the downspout from your green roof could flow into a rain garden with an overflow to the 2. An engineer is required to design and certify your green roof. 3. Apply for a permit from the City of Victoria. 4. Install your green roof. 5. City inspection and approval. 6. Apply for credit. Credit: 20%