FAQs

Under the preferred funding model, non-residential properties, like industrial properties or businesses, would be charged based on the amount of measured impervious (hard) area on the property. The proposed rate is approximately $0.39 per square metre of measured impervious area on the property. 

Example: A non-residential property with 1,200 m² total area, including 200 m² green space (grass, landscaping, etc.)

 Step 1: Calculate impervious area

• 1,200 m² total area – 200 m² green space = 1,000 m² impervious area

Step 2: Apply the stormwater rate

• 1,000 m² x 0.39 per m² = $390 per year.

 2025 stormwater fee for this property: $484 per year. 

 This is an illustrative example only. Actual fees would depend on measured impervious area and Council approval of the rate.

Under the new funding model, residential properties owners would be charged based on the type of property they own. The chart below shows fee estimates for residential properties under the revised stormwater fee. 

*Stormwater fee estimates for the current method are averages for each property type – your current fee may not perfectly match one of the fees above.

These proposed fee estimates are illustrative and assume that the City collects the same amount of money as it currently collects under the current, interim stormwater fee. If funding is further consolidated under the stormwater fee, estimates would increase as stormwater funding is removed from your property taxes and the wastewater surcharge.

Hard surface area, or impervious area, stops water from soaking into the ground where it lands. The more hard surface area a property has, the more stormwater runoff it creates and the faster the stormwater runs off, creating greater flooding risks. Runoff from hard surfaces can also convey pollutants. This means that large properties with lots of hard surfaces have a greater impact on our stormwater system. Small properties and properties with lots of green space have a smaller impact on our stormwater system. An equitable stormwater fee should account for this difference.

If not dealt with properly, stormwater can cause erosion and flooding. This can damage our homes, roads and public spaces. 

Stormwater also affects the health of our surrounding ecosystems and local rivers – impacting how we live, work and play in local waterbodies. As stormwater runs off surfaces like driveways, parking lots and fields it can pick up pollutants, such as sediment, metals, fertilizers, pesticides and litter and carry them into natural water bodies like the Otonabee River. Low water quality can reduce biodiversity, limit water-based recreation and increase strain on water treatment plants.

Ditches, culverts and creeks in rural areas are part of the City’s stormwater system and help move water away from rural properties. Ditches and culverts require regular inspection and maintenance by City staff to keep them working efficiently.

Even though rural areas have fewer buildings than cities, they still produce stormwater runoff when it rains. That runoff can carry things like soil, fertilizers, and other pollutants into the stormwater system and nearby rivers. This kind of runoff can lead to erosion and harm the natural environment – just like it does in urban areas.

The City’s stormwater management program also helps keep our streets free of flooding and protects public spaces for all residents to enjoy. Even if you aren’t directly connected to the sewer system, this critical infrastructure keeps our community moving.

Some activities were originally excluded from the interim stormwater fee because they serve multiple purposes, like keeping roads clear of debris, sewer flushing (when done for both sanitary and storm sewers) and spill response.

 Future changes to the stormwater fee will consider options for increased funding consolidation wherever it makes sense. 

Stormwater credits, or an ongoing stormwater fee reduction, would be available to non-residential and multi-unit residential property owners that take steps to reduce the amount or improve the quality of the stormwater running off their property under the new funding model. The chart below summarizes the proposed credit program. 

Stormwater credits would be capped at 50%, recognizing that some runoff will still reach the City’s infrastructure and that all property owners benefit from a functioning stormwater system. Existing infrastructure would also be eligible under the proposed credit program. 

If the preferred funding method is approved by Council, more information about the credit program will be shared during the implementation phase.

The proposed incentive program offers stormwater rebates to residential property owners and credits to non-residential, mixed use or large multi-unit residential properties. Credits are limited to non-residential/multi-unit property owners because:

• Non-residential properties tend to generate more stormwater runoff than residential properties. 
• Offering credits to all properties is much more expensive since there are a lot more homes than businesses, apartments and condos in Peterborough.
• Fees for residential properties tend to be low, so a residential stormwater credit would only save a few dollars per month.

Residential properties are instead offered stormwater rebates to reduce the cost for installing stormwater management measures on-site, like through the City’s existing Rain Garden Subsidy program, which are easier to obtain compared to an ongoing stormwater credit.

To manage stormwater, the City maintains:

• 12,300 catch basins and maintenance holes
• 317 kilometres of storm sewers
• 230 storm sewer outfalls
• 34 stormwater management ponds
• 34 oil and grit separators
• 113 kilometres of ditches
• 407 culverts
• 163 kilometres of watercourses

The City is also completing over 100 potential flood reduction projects through the Flood Reduction Capital Program. These include culvert replacements (e.g., on Armour Road, Caddy Street and Tivey Street), regular sewer flushing and stormwater pond maintenance.

 The total value of Peterborough’s stormwater system is approximately $1.7 billion.

To support this work, the Study Team engaged the public to strengthen community understanding of stormwater management and to collect feedback on stormwater funding alternatives and incentive programs. 

 Engagement activities included:

• A social media campaign
• An online survey that reached 141 Peterborough residents
• A virtual public meeting with 31 people registered
• One-on-one meetings with large landowners