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When cities are developed, natural vegetated ground surfaces are replaced by roads, parking lots, sidewalks and other infrastructure. These urbanized environments prevent water from being absorbed into the ground. Instead, the water stays on the surface and flows over land. This creates a need to manage this water to prevent flooding in urban areas and prevent pollution from entering our natural watercourses and watersheds.
Stormwater, which is water from rain and snow melt, enters a drainage system and then goes into creeks, ponds, wetlands or rivers. Unlike wastewater from our sinks and toilets, stormwater is typically not treated before it enters a waterbody.
More frequent, high-intensity rain events that can cause flooding are occurring because of ongoing climate change. The City is continuously working to understand these challenges and to improve our stormwater infrastructure to respond to the changing climate.
Example:
Property valued at $200,000 according to MPAC
Stormwater Management Fee: $32.76 x 2 = $65.52 per year
Billing Period: April to December = 9 payments
Monthly Bill: $65.52 / 9 = $7.28
City Council endorsed the transition of stormwater funding from the tax base (Property Tax bills) to a dedicated user fee (Water Services bill) beginning on April 1, 2025 using a simplified interim rate structure (report FCSFS25-003 dated January 20, 2025).
The stormwater management fee replaces what was being paid by property owners through their property taxes by placing a user fee on their utility bill. Many other municipalities use this method.
How much are we being charged?
The Stormwater Management Fee is approximately $32.76 per year per $100,000 of residential property assessment as of January 1, 2025. The amount will be spread over the remaining Peterborough Utility billing cycles for 2025.
Example:
Property valued at $200,000 according to MPAC
Stormwater Management Fee: $32.76 x 2 = $65.52 per year
Billing Period: April to December = 9 payments
Monthly Bill: $65.52 / 9 = $7.28
The fee is essentially the same as what is being paid by property owners through the tax base but removes the levy requirement from the tax base and places the charge on the utility bill.
A simplified interim rate structure for 2025 is outlined below.
I own vacant land: Currently the owners of vacant land pay stormwater a fee through their property taxes. These properties do not currently receive a utility bill, however beginning June 30, 2025, they will receive a utility bill specifically for this stormwater fee.
I own Condo: The owners of condominiums currently pay stormwater a fee through their property taxes. Some condo properties do not currently receive a utility bill, however beginning June 30, 2025, they will receive a utility bill specifically for this stormwater fee. Condo owners who currently receive a utility bill will see the additional storm water charge beginning April 1, 2025 and will receive the corresponding reduction in their property tax.
Condo owners who currently receive a utility bill will see the additional storm water charge beginning April 1, 2025.
I am a tenant: Tenants who are concerned about the stormwater fee being added to their water bill should speak to their landlord.
It is proposed that this structure remain in place until community consultation has taken place on what a more suitable application of charges would look like.
The consultation will take place later in 2025 as part of the Stormwater Utility Program
Development Capital Project (Ref 25-029) following a set of decision-making Guiding Principles such as the following:
What if I’m on Preauthorized Payments?
Properties enrolled in the Peterborough Utilities Preauthorized Payment program will have the Stormwater Management Fee levied by this By-law due and payable in the same manner as agreed to by the Account holder under the provisions of the preauthorized debit agreement, for payment of the water and wastewater consumption charges for the Property.
What if I’m late on payments or do not pay?
The amounts billed will be due and payable on the due date identified on the bill.
Interest on any outstanding accounts shall be applied and calculated per the interest charge for late payment as identified in the City’s User Fees and Charges By-law. Interest shall accrue from the due date and shall be added to the next subsequent Stormwater Management Bill that is issued, together with unpaid and carried-forward Stormwater Management Fees. Interest charges, penalties and all costs of collection, constitutes a debt of the person to the City. Any outstanding monies owed with respect to Stormwater Management Fees may be added to the tax roll of the property.
An account holder may file a utility billing enquiry if they think that a billing error has occurred. A person filing a billing enquiry is required to include all the particulars of all grounds upon which their billing enquiry is based.
Even when filing a billing enquiry, the account holder is required to pay the Stormwater Management Fee. Any Stormwater Management Fee billed during the course of a Billing Enquiry will be due and payable.
Benefits to implementing a Stormwater Management Fee include:
Current stormwater management incentive programs and contests include:
The City of Peterborough designs, builds and maintains infrastructure to reduce the risk and damage caused by flooding as well as remove pollutants caused by fertilizers, vehicles and debris from entering our natural watercourses. As part of our Flood Reduction Capital Program, we maintain a list of over 100 potential flood reduction projects. All of these projects will better prepare the City for an uncertain future of climate change induced rainfall trends.
Examples of recent Flood Reduction Projects and maintenance programs include:
We own and operate a stormwater management system worth around $535 million. This includes:
The City of Peterborough has been issued a Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA) by the Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Parks (MECP). This means development applications no longer require a direct submission to the MECP. Visit our CLI-ECA page for more details.
A stormwater management pond is an engineered piece of green infrastructure (not a natural water feature) that collects rainfall and surface runoff (stormwater) from urban areas.
Stormwater enters a series of catch basins and storm sewers, and then drains to a stormwater management pond. The stormwater pond temporarily stores, and slowly releases this water to prevent downstream flooding. The stormwater pond also allows sediment (sand, silt and debris) and other pollution such as oil and fertilizers to settle out inside the pond rather than entering our natural bodies of water.
Periodic pond maintenance is important to maintain the form and function of a stormwater facility. These maintenance operations are also a legal requirement enforced by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP). Maintenance items range from small repairs and landscaping to large clean-out operations. Reconstruction can also be required if necessary performance improvements can not be achieved by a clean-out alone.
Important Note: During the winter months, stormwater management ponds freeze over; however, given the unpredictability of ice thickness and the steep slopes around the ponds, no skating or walking on frozen ponds of any kind is permitted.
If you have a concern with a stormwater pond in your neighbourhood, please contact us.
Oil and Grit separators (OGS) are specially designed maintenance hole structures that capture pollutants such as sediment and oil collected by urban runoff. Oil and Grit separators are used for pollution control when limited space is available; however, they require frequent maintenance to ensure that they are functioning properly. OGS units do not address stormwater volume issues that can cause flooding.
Most OGS units are located on private property but are subject to inspection and maintenance protocols to comply with the City's sewer use by-law 15-075. In many cases OGS units are also bound by requirements laid out by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP). Owner's of these units will receive annual reminders of their requirement to have their units inspected and maintained every year. You can register your OGS unit online for paperless reminders.
Low Impact Development or LID is a unique approach to land development that mimics the natural movement of water in order to manage stormwater (rainwater and urban runoff) close to where it falls. LID has the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change by managing frequent rain events, reducing urban heat island effects, reducing the temperature of runoff, and replenishing our groundwater.
LID uses small, simple design techniques and cost-effective landscape features that allow water to infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff at the source.
These techniques are based on the principle of using stormwater as a resource.
We are actively working to implement LID into our own infrastructure projects. We also work closely with private industry to ensure LID implementation on new developments, to ensure we protect our water resources.
Cleantech Commons is being developed in partnership between the City and Trent University. The proposed development will be an industry-leading example of LID implementation.
The first phase of development will feature:
For more information about the development, please visit the Cleantech Commons website.
Rethink the Rain
More frequent, high-intensity rain events that can cause flooding occur because of ongoing climate change. Flood risks can be reduced if residents, businesses, and government take action to slow the flow and retain the rain. Invite your friends and family to Take the Rain Gain Challenge and help protect our valuable water resources.
Rain is a resource that can benefit people, the environment and the economy. It's time to Rethink the Rain!
Community groups and non-profits:
These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the City of Peterborough of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The City of Peterborough bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
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Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9
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