If you own or manage a multi-unit residential building in Canada, you may be surprised to learn that there are many regional water conservation programs that exist and that are available to you. These programs can help you pay for a water audit, update your infrastructure, and so much more.

Below you will find brief descriptions of some of the programs available by geography, as well as links that provide more details about program qualifications and how to apply.

Ontario

City of Toronto

For industrial, institutional, and commercial organizations. Includes a free water audit and a cash rebate for permanent water savings measures.

Details can be found on the City of Toronto website. (https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/how-to-use-less-water/water-efficiency-for-business/capacity-buyback-program/)

Region of Waterloo

Property managers can receive up to $15 for each toilet flapper replacement, as well as free water efficient showerheads and tap aerators. They can also receive 50% funding for water balance audits for their building, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Details can be found on the Region of Waterloo website. (https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/conserving-water.aspx#Help-for-apartment-buildings-and-other-multi-unit-residential) 

York Region

Industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings are eligible for an incentive of up to 50% of the cost of the retrofits that result in a reduction in utility bills.

Details can be found on the York Region website. (https://www.york.ca/business/water-saving-and-protection-incentives-businesses#.YjoI2OrMIuU)

Halton Region

Halton Region offers a rebate for water-efficient toilets for detached or semi-detached homes, townhouses, or condominiums.

Details can be found on the Halton Region website. (https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Water-and-Environment/Water-Conservation/Halton-Regions-Water-Efficient-Toilet-Rebate-Progr)

City of Ottawa

For industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings, as well as multi-unit residential buildings with six or more units, the City of Ottawa has a high-volume user program. With this program, rebates are offered to property owners for installing eligible water efficient toilets, urinals, spray valves and commercial dishwashers and washing machines.

Details can be found on the City of Ottawa website. (https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/drinking-water-stormwater-and-wastewater/drinking-water/water-conservation) 

City of Kingston

The City of Kingston’s conservation program offers a financial incentive of $5 per cubic metre of annual permanent combined water and sewer savings, up to a cap of 20% of eligible project costs. Projects that can apply for custom incentives include toilet replacements, commercial laundry or commercial kitchen equipment replacements, or any other projects that permanently reduce water consumption and sewer discharges.

Details can be found on the City of Kingston website. (https://utilitieskingston.com/Water/Conservation/EfficiencyRetrofitIncentiveProgram) 

West Coast

City of Calgary

In multi-unit buildings as well as hotels/motels, a $50 per toilet rebate program is available for high-efficiency toilets.

Details can be found on the City of Calgary website.(https://www.calgary.ca/uep/water/water-conservation/indoor-water-conservation/toilet-rebates/toilet-rebates.html)

City of Victoria

The City of Victoria offers free water audit and efficiency analyses in the Greater Victoria Area.

Details can be found on the Capital Regional District website. (https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/water-conservation/at-work) 

City of Saskatoon

Although the City of Saskatoon does not yet have a water conservation rebate program, a commercial program is in the works and expected to begin in the next 3 years.

Details can be found on the City of Saskatoon website. (https://www.saskatoon.ca/engage/water-conservation-strategy#:~:text=Background-,Background,sectors%3B%20and%20the%20City%20itself.)

City of Kelowna

An irrigation landscape rebate is available with up to $5000 per strata complex for irrigated landscape areas that are larger than 300 square meters. 

Details can be found on the City of Kelowna website. (https://www.kelowna.ca/sites/files/1/docs/strata_complex_rebate_application_2021.pdf) 

East Coast

City of Halifax

A wastewater rebate is available for residents of Halifax that use more than 1000 cubic metres of water per year. 

Details can be found on the City of Halifax website. (https://www.halifaxwater.ca/request-wastewater-rebate) 

City of Charlottetown

Although Charlottetown does not have a commercial rebate program, they offer a residential program for low-income households that includes installation of a low-flow showerhead, a low-flow aerator, and a toilet.

Details can be found on the City of Charlottetown website. (https://www.charlottetown.ca/resident_services/water_services/lift_program)

If you are looking to improve your building’s infrastructure but you are overwhelmed by the programs available, Connected Sensors is here to help. Contact us today and we can help guide you on how to save water in your building, and what rebates apply to your unique situation.