Rainwater Harvesting

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Status: The Rainwater Harvesting Rebate is open and accepting applications for 2025.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is offering rebates to help residents install rainwater collection systems. This program includes:  

• Rebates up to $700 for cisterns rated for potable use and able to collect a minimum of 4,546 litres of rainwater
• Rebates up to $300 for eligible collection system expenses such as transport piping, debris traps, filters and installation costs 

Distribution components beyond the tank are not covered under this program. This makes a total of up to $1000 available per household for the purchase and installation of a rainwater harvesting system.  

Eligibility  

This rebate program is open to all residential landowners within the RDN. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:  

• Each private property is eligible for one rebate over the program lifetime. Only property owners are eligible to receive the rebate. 
• Rebate is available on a first-come, first-served basis; once funds are exhausted, the program will be finished for this year. 
• Must install a cistern that is rated for potable use (e.g., CSA approved) with a total rainwater storage capacity of 4,546 litres (1,000 imperial gallons) or more. Systems can be for potable or non-potable use.  
• Must have a minimum roof collection area of 18.58 square meters (200 square feet). 
• If the installation involves the alteration of indoor plumbing, the installation of a new potable water line, or the alteration of an existing potable water line a Building Permit is required and a copy of the Building Permit and Inspection Document from the relevant Building Inspection Department must be submitted. 
• All work, including purchasing of system components and cisterns, must be completed between January 1 and December 15, 2025 

How to Apply  

All documentation, forms, photos, and invoices, can be sent electronically to waterstewardship [at] rdn.bc.ca (waterstewardship[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) or by mail/in person to:  

• Attn: Drinking Water & Watershed Protection,  
  Regional District of Nanaimo,  
  6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, B.C., V9T 6N2. 

Program Information Sheet 

Step One: Pre-Approval Application  

To begin your application, complete and submit a Pre-Approval Application form, including a description of the system that you plan to install. 

• Pre-approval Application 

Along with the form, you will need to submit ‘before’ photos of the site showing the catchment area and cistern location. Photos should have an indication of scale, such as a person or a metre stick. Photos should also have a reference point so that it is clear that ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos are the same property.   

To help you prepare for your project, TeamWaterSmart offers Rainwater Harvesting Workshops, visit Team WaterSmart for workshop dates. Registration is recommended; attendance is free. 

Step Two: Completion of Qualifying Work  

Pre-approved applicants will have $1000 set aside for them. When you receive written approval from the RDN, you will have 90 days to complete the installation and submit your Claim Form to receive the rebate.  

Pre-approval expires 90 days after the confirmation letter is issued. Contact the RDN (waterstewardship [at] rdn.bc.ca (waterstewardship[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) or 250-390-6560) to request an extension. 

Applicants can complete the installation or hire a rainwater harvesting professional to install. The completed system must meet the current best practices; please review the RDN Rainwater Harvesting Best Practices Guidebook. The Claim Form highlights required system components in the Tank Installation and Safety Checklists. Please review the checklists and present them to the installer before any work begins. 

Annotated illustration of properly installed cistern:

Step Three: Submit Your Claim Form  

You must submit final documentation within 90 days of pre-approval. Submission should include:  

• Itemized sales receipt(s) and/or invoice(s) marked PAID and dated the same calendar year in which you are applying 
• Photo(s) of the system installed, clearly showing the following: 
  • Added cisterns 
  • An appropriate collection area including downspout and routing to cistern 
  • Overflow diversion according to Tank Installation Checklist specifications 
  • Cleaning access 
  • Backflow prevention (if connected to top-up source
• Completed Claim Form, fill in all three pages, including the Tank Installation and Safety Checklists. 

If the installation involves the alteration of indoor plumbing, the installation of a new potable water line, or the alteration of an existing potable water line, a Building Permit is required. A copy of the Building Permit and Inspection Document from the relevant Building Inspection Department must be submitted. 

Please allow up to 6 to 8 weeks for processing and payment. 

Program Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions, please call 250-390-6560 or email watersmart [at] rdn.bc.ca (watersmart[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca).