2025 R08 – Financial Incentives for Residential Rainwater Catchment Systems
- Year: 2025
- AVICC Number: R08
- UBCM Number: NR71
- Tofino
Whereas water security, drought, and climate change are critical issues affecting communities across the Province of British Columbia, with many communities facing challenges related to aging water infrastructure and increasing demand;
And whereas incentivizing the implementation of residential rainwater catchment systems can alleviate pressure on water supply challenges in drought affected communities:
Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call upon the Province of British Columbia to offer rebates or financial incentives for residential rainwater catchment systems to help increase water supply and promote efficient water use practices.
- Year: 2025
- AVICC Number: R08
- Sponsor: Tofino
- Resolution Type: Provincial
- Category: Environment
- AVICC Decision: Endorsed
- AVICC Action: Forwarded to UBCM
- AVICC Response link
- UBCM Number: NR71
- UBCM Decision: Referred to UBCM Executive and ENDORSED
- Provincial Response:Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Thank you for your resolution recommending that the Province create rebates or other financial incentives for residential rainwater harvesting to promote conservation and increase supply. Commitment to take action on climate change is foundational for this government, and protecting drinking water, source water and watersheds are key priorities. As such, the Province appreciates the recommendation to incentivize rainwater collection through funding as residential rainwater catchment systems can be a helpful water conservation strategy that can improve community resilience to drought. In British Columbia, rainwater is characterized as a type of surface water by the Drinking Water Protection Regulation. Rainwater harvesting systems intended to provide potable water are therefore regulated by the Drinking Water Protection Act DWPA in the same way as other surface water sources, like lakes and streams. The DWPA and associated regulation specify water quality standards, monitoring schedules and recommended treatment aimed at reducing the risks from pathogens. To this end, the Ministry of Health has developed Guidance for Treatment of Rainwater Harvested for Potable Use that provides a general overview of design considerations, risk identification and assessment, and treatment objectives that must be adhered to as well as operational monitoring, maintenance and training advice. While unable to commit to a new funding program to incentivize rainwater harvesting during these uncertain times, the Province applauds those local governments that have initiated their own rainwater harvesting rebate programs for both potable and non-potable water uses.
- UBCM Response link
The AVICC acknowledges that we are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of theCoast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak-Waka’wakw Peoples