Epcor offers large rebates through rainwater pilot program

Edmonton residents could get thousands of dollars back for doing certain kinds of upgrades to their properties.

Edmontonians could receive thousands of dollars in rebates from Epcor through a pilot program that encourages property owners to slow rainwater from flooding storm drains.

The RainWise program was launched in April and it will run for three years. Single-family, multi-family and commercial properties in Edmonton are eligible for a rebate if they build a project that meets certain eligibility requirements and slows the direct drainage of storm water.

Projects listed on the Epcor website include:

• downspout disconnections;
• rain barrels and storage tanks;
• rain gardens and box planters;
• soakaway pits;
• permeable pavement; and
• absorbent landscaping.

“If we can slow it down, it helps prevent flooding in local areas, then ultimately for the greater city of Edmonton area,” Dale DeBock with Epcor told CTV News Edmonton on Friday.

Rebates go up to $2,000 for single-family homes, up to $5,000 for multi-residential properties, and up to $10,000 for larger commercial projects, Epcor said.

“We’ve put our money where our mouth is and we want to help the community do these projects, and we are encouraging these projects to happen,” he said, adding that Epcor has invested $300,000 for the length of the pilot.

DeBock said to avoid flooding, Epcor has had to do “expensive upgrades to storm systems” and build big pipes to “handle” all the rainwater. He said the program incentivizes people to take initiative and explore different things they can do in their backyards, and to help avoid these added costs.

“This is an opportunity to invest in the community and people’s personal part of the city that would reduce the cost … or even eliminate the need for an upgrade altogether.”

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Applications can be made online. Projects that meet the eligibility requirements will receive a reply with approval. Receipts are then submitted when work is completed and homeowners will receive the rebate.

At the time of the interview, DeBock said more than 220 applications have been made since the start of the program.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa and Dave Mitchell