Stormwater Stewardship Grants
Roofs, driveways, parking lots, roads, and patios are all impermeable surfaces, meaning they do not allow water to absorb into them. The goal of stormwater stewardship projects is to either change impermeable surfaces into permeable ones, or to direct water that lands on one of these impermeable surface types to an area where the water can be absorbed into the ground.
Stormwater stewardship projects help reduce both stormwater flowing into the municipal sewer system and stormwater flowing directly into local watercourses, Cootes Paradise, Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario. Stormwater often carries pollutants which can be harmful to fish and other aquatic life. These projects can help mitigate these issues by filtering stormwater, reducing the transport of pollutants, and helping reduce soil erosion. Stormwater stewardship projects also offer benefits of enhancing your property’s landscape, improve curb appeal and possibly even elevate property value.
There is limited funding available and funds will be approved on a first come first served basis. We are offering grants to property owners in the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s watershed to cover 50% of costs up to a maximum of $2,500 for eligible projects.
Process:
- Hamilton Conservation Authority Stewardship staff have introductory site visit with Property Owner to discuss proposed project.
- Property Owner fills out Stormwater Stewardship Project Funding Application and Agreement and submits it to Hamilton Conservation Authority for review to determine project eligibility.
- Property Owner is notified of review decision.
- Property Owner completes project and submits to Hamilton Conservation Authority Stewardship staff the Financial Tracking Form and all required paperwork.
- Hamilton Conservation Authority Stewardship staff have site visit with Property owner to review completed project.
- Grant is issued to Property Owner upon successful completion of project.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Property must be within Hamilton Conservation Authority’s watershed.
- Project must be new and demonstrate a reduction of stormwater flow into the municipal sewer system and/or watercourses.
Examples of projects that can reduce stormwater runoff are:
- Bioswales
- Downspout Disconnections
- Infiltration Trenches
- Permeable pavement/concrete/pavers
- Rain Gardens
- Soakaway Pits
- Water Retention/Storage
Eligible Costs:
- Materials and supplies (soil media, plant material, stone, downspout diverter, etc.)
- Contractor design fees
- Contractor construction fees
- Equipment rental
Ineligible Costs:
- Purchase of tools, equipment
- Property owner labour