In June 2022, Cobourg Council adopted a Stormwater Asset Management Plan and approved the implementation of a dedicated funding source for stormwater management, similar to the full cost recovery system that is in place for water and wastewater assets in Cobourg.
The Town provides stormwater management services to protect the community and environment from the implications of stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is water that flows off properties mostly due to rain and snow events. Along the way, the stormwater picks up debris, chemicals and other pollutants from rooftops and paved surfaces that enter the storm collection system and is often treated in stormwater ponds or oil grit-separators before outletting to a creek or Lake Ontario. Ponds will slowly release treated water back into the environment which mitigates flooding, erosion, and pollution downstream.
Hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, roads and parking lots increase the amount of runoff from both private and public properties. All property owners benefit from stormwater management infrastructure throughout the Town regardless if their property is serviced with sewers or their runoff drains towards the road.
Property Type | 2023 (Rate per hectare) | 2024 (Rate per hectare) | 2025 (Rate per hectare) |
---|---|---|---|
Commercial |
$1,809.44 |
$1,872.70 | $1,938.16 |
Institutional |
$1,507.87 |
$1,560.58 | $1,615.13 |
Industrial |
$1,608.39 |
$1,664.62 | $1,772.81 |
Agricultural/vacant |
$402.10 |
$416.15 | $430.70 |
Residential (low density) |
$904.72 |
$936.35 | $969.08 |
Residential (medium density) |
$1,206.29 |
$1,248.46 | $1,292.11 |
Residential (high density) |
$1,507.87 |
$1,560.58 | $1,615.13 |
How Annual Rates are Calculated:
Annual rates are calculated per hectare of property.
Rate Calculation Examples
Temporary Pause to Stormwater Billing
Stormwater bills are issued to the property owner via their monthly utility bill. In December 2023, Lakefront Utility Services informed the Town of issues discovered in certain billing cycles. As part of their commitment to transparent and accurate billing, LUSI made the recommendation to pause all stormwater billing until these issues could be corrected. Following a comprehensive review, accounts have now been reconciled and tested and billing is scheduled to resume in February 2024.
Annual stormwater rates are calculated per hectare of property and divided evenly over the 12 months of the year. Stormwater rates are not billed based on water or hydro usage and are listed as a separate fee on customer billing. The February 2024 stormwater bill will reflect all unbilled stormwater charges to date. March 2024 billing will begin the return to regular monthly billing.
Payment Plans Available:
The Town of Cobourg and LUSI recognize that the first stormwater bill of 2024 will be higher than anticipated. In response, all interest on overdue stormwater amounts will be waived until June 2024. Customers requiring more time to pay stormwater charges are asked to call Lakefront Utility Services Inc. at 905-372-2193 to make payment arrangements.
Council to Review Stormwater Charges
At the Wednesday January 31, 2024, Regular Council Meeting, Council passed a motion advising staff engage Stormwater Management consultants, Watson & Associates to review the stormwater rate study and report back to Council with alternative approaches. Council has also asked staff to review the impact of a $200.00/year residential cap on Stormwater charges as recommended by a resident delegation to Council. The timing of this review process is currently unknown; however, the Town of Cobourg will continue to keep residents updated on any changes to stormwater billing.
Be sure to read this Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.
For more information regarding the implementation of new Stormwater Management fees please review the Stormwater Asset Management Plan and Funding Assessment
The Stormwater Management Service Charges By-Law can be found on our By-Law page under Environmental By-laws.
The Town of Cobourg received all property sizes from MPAC. The appeal process for stormwater rates is related to the property area listed on your MPAC assessment.
If you believe your property size needs to be confirmed, submit a property confirmation request form, and a Town of Cobourg staff member will follow up with you.
Please be advised that Cobourg Council has directed a review of the stormwater rate structure. Staff are currently working with the authoring consultant and expect to have a report back to Council this spring. Please ensure that utility bills are paid by their due date and should any adjustments be required as a result of the review, future utility bills will reflect those adjustments
Property Confirmation Request Form
If you have additional questions and would like to speak with staff please email stormwater@cobourg.ca