The Rainwater Conservation Fund (RCF) offers financial assistance by supporting projects that help manage and conserve rainwater on properties in areas of Hamilton and Burlington.
Hamilton and Burlington have recently experienced significant rain and flooding, highlighting the need for better rainwater management in urban areas.
Most of our infrastructure is designed to move water through our urban landscape as quickly as possible.
As a result, creeks and other bodies of water are overwhelmed with the amount of water and suspended particulates during rainfall and snowmelt.
What is the Rainwater Conservation Fund?
The Rainwater Conservation Fund is a financial assistance program that supports urban landowner projects, greenhouse projects, and nursery projects that divert and infiltrate rainwater into the ground on the landowners’ property. Funding is available for the following areas in 2024 and 2025:
- Burlington: Aldershot, Brant Hills, Pleasantview, Tyandaga, and parts of North Burlington
- Hamilton: Millgrove and Waterdown
Landowners in these regions can receive grants of up to $7,500 for eligible projects.
Why Participate?
Participating in the Rainwater Conservation Fund offers numerous benefits:
- Improved Property Value: Sustainable water management practices can enhance the aesthetic appeal and value of your property.
- Environmental Stewardship: Contributing to the health of local water bodies and ecosystems.
- Financial Support: Access to significant funding to offset project costs.
Eligible Projects for the Rainwater Conservation Fund
Several types of projects are eligible for funding under the RCF, including:
- Bioswales: Landscape elements designed to concentrate or remove debris and pollution from surface runoff water.
- Infiltration Trenches: Trenches filled with gravel or rock to capture, store, and infiltrate water. French drains and dry wells are great solutions to manage water.
- Soakaway Pits/Rain Gardens: Depressions in the landscape that collect and infiltrate rainwater. Creative Concepts can help design and install these features.
- Clean Water Diversion: Systems that redirect clean water away from polluted areas.
- Water Retention/Storage Systems: Systems that capture and store rainwater for future use.
- Detention Basins: Shallow depressions that temporarily hold water and allow it to infiltrate slowly.
- Permeable Pavement/Pavers: Pavement and stone pavers that allow water to pass through and infiltrate into the ground.
- Projects that demonstrate the retention, infiltration, or conservation of rainwater
These yard drainage projects help improve water quality, reduce runoff, and promote sustainable water management.
As a prominent landscaping company, Creative Concepts has a long working relationship the Halton Conservation and experience with water management and yard drainage projects as described above.
Funding and Eligibility
Funding availability and rates vary each year, with a focus on specific areas within the Hamilton Harbour watershed, such as:
- Burlington: Aldershot, Brant Hills, Pleasantview, Tyandaga, and parts of North Burlington.
- Hamilton: Millgrove and Waterdown.
How to Apply
- Connect with Restoration Staff: Arrange a free site visit to determine project eligibility by emailing [email protected]. It’s best to start here to learn if your property is eligible for funding.
- Complete the Application: Once you have determined if you are eligible, fill out the Rainwater Conservation Fund application form. If you work with Creative Concepts to create a landscape design for your water management project, we can provide you with the project information required for the form.
- Submit the Application: Email the completed form to [email protected] or mail it to the Restoration office.
Applications are reviewed monthly. In the event of limited funds, projects are ranked and funded based on their ecological merit.
For detailed information visit Conservation Halton’s website or contact a Landowner Outreach Technician at [email protected].
Take Advantage of the Rainwater Conservation Fund Today!
The Rainwater Conservation Fund is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to contribute to environmental conservation while improving their properties. By understanding the eligibility requirements and following the application process, you can take advantage of this program to make a positive impact on your local watershed.
For more detailed information and to access the application form, download the Rainwater Conservation Fund Application PDF. If you are looking for a landscaping company, we are here to help you navigate the application process and implement sustainable water management practices on your property.
If you are looking to complete a rainwater management project, connect with us today. The fund is limited so get your project before it’s gone.
