Industrial Water Rate - Frequently Asked Questions
New Water Rate Structure: Industrial Water Rate
- How much is the potential water rate savings?
- When did the program start? When can the Water User Submit a Water Conservation Plan?
- Who is eligible for the water rate reduction?
- What if the industrial water user is already enrolled in Toronto Water's ICI WaterSaver-Capacity Buyback Program (a water conservation program for industrial, commercial and institutional water users)?
- Do industrial water users who have already completed a water audit report need to complete a new report?
- What do I have to do to retain the water rate reduction?
- What are the City's criteria for defining which upgrades must be completed?
- What do I have to do to receive the water rate reduction?
- What forms must be used to submit the required information?
- How and where do I submit the required information?
- What if I decide to wait and then try to get involved in the program later?
- How do I maintain the Industrial Water Rate?
- Who do I contact if I'm interested or have any further questions?
How much is the potential water rate savings?
The industrial water rate is approximately 28 per cent less than the general water rate for the 2010 year. The General Water Rate is $2.0616 per m3; the industrial water rate is $1.4726 per m3.
For example, an industrial customer consuming 100,000 m3 per year will save $67,735.60 in 2010:
| General Consumer | Industrial Water Rate Consumer |
|---|---|
| 100,000 x $2.0616 = $206,160 |
6,000* x $2.0616 + 94,000 x $1.4726 = $138,424.40 |
*The general water rate is charged on the first 6,000 m3 for all customers.
When did the program start? When can the Water User Submit a Water Conservation Plan?
The Program began in January 2008. Water Users can submit a Water Conservation Plan at anytime during the year. If approved, the reduced water rate will be retroactive to the date which the plan was received by the City.
Who is eligible for the water rate reduction?
Industrial water users are defined under the property tax assessment base. Those who are considered to be solely industrial operations for property tax purposes will receive the entitled savings based on meeting the requirements.
Waters users with properties that fall under the Industrial Tax Class as well as additional tax classes will be eligible for the Industrial Water Rate based on the portion of water used for industrial operations, providing the industrial water use is isolated and sub-metered.
Water users who consider themselves to be solely industrial operations but are not identified as industrial on the tax roll must contact the City at 416-392-4949 to update their tax classification accordingly.
What if the industrial water user is already enrolled in Toronto Water's ICI WaterSaver-Capacity Buyback Program (a water conservation program for industrial, commercial and institutional water users)?
The ICI WaterSaver-Capacity Buyback Program has ended for Industrial users.
The ICI Capacity BuyBack Program will continue for commercial and institutional water users.
Do industrial water users who have already completed a water audit report need to complete a new report?
Yes, a new water conservation plan, which includes a water audit, needs to be submitted. However, if the water user has previously completed a water audit under the ICI WaterSaver-Capacity Buyback Program, the existing audit portion can be re-used with the new submission provided information concerning water costs and payback are updated.
What do I have to do to retain the water rate reduction?
The first step is to submit the required water conservation plan as well as any other information required to the Toronto Water Conservation Office. Thereafter, you will be required to submit Annual Water Reduction Progress Reports.
The recommendations for improvement within the plan must be completed by the specified time lines in order to continue to be eligible.
What are the City's criteria for defining which upgrades must be completed?
The key criteria in determining which upgrades must be completed are:
- For projects with a payback of less than one year, construction must be completed in two years (e.g. July 2011)
- For projects with a payback of more than 1 year but less than 2 years, construction must be completed in less than 3 years (e.g. July 1, 2012)
- For projects with a payback between two and five years, construction must be completed within five years (e.g. July 2014)
What do I have to do to receive the water rate reduction?
Step 1: Confirm that your company consumes more than 6,000 cubic metres of water annually by referring to your year-end water bill or calling 416-395-6822.
Step 2: Verify your company’s industrial tax classification by calling 416-338-4829.
Note: If you are assessed as a “mixed” tax class (with a portion rated as industrial and a portion rated as commercial), please refer to next question.Step 3: Confirm whether your company has any outstanding Notices of Violation and/or outstanding Pollution Prevention Plans by emailing, p3help@toronto.ca or calling 416-392-9940 to speak with your bylaw officer or industrial waste control supervisor. A company must be in compliance with the City’s Sewers Bylaw before it can be eligible for the industrial water rate.
Step 4: Prepare and submit a water conservation plan for approval. If your company meets the tax classification and Sewers Bylaw compliance requirements, the submission date of your completed water conservation plan will be the effective date of the industrial water rate application to your account. Templates for the water conservation plan are available online or by calling 416-392-7000.
Step 5: After the initial application, an annual water conservation progress report must be filed by July 1 of each year.
What forms must be used to submit the required information?
The Water Conservation Review Report (a template for developing your water conservation plan) is available on the Toronto Water website at toronto.ca/water/industrial and include:
- Water Conservation Review Report (a template for developing your water conservation plan)
- Annual Water Reduction Progress Report
How and where do I submit the required information?
The forms can be submitted via email to savewater@toronto.ca or mailed to:
Service Programs
Toronto Water
Industrial Rate Reduction Program
275 Merton St.
Toronto, ON M4S 1A7
What if I decide to wait and then try to get involved in the program later?
Once you have registered and fulfilled the Industrial Water Rate requirements, the City will adjust your water rate. This adjustment will occur on January 1 or July 1 of the upcoming year, depending on the date the water conservation plan is reviewed. Customers can wait and “opt-in” at any point, provided the rate is still being offered.
How do I maintain the Industrial Water Rate?
Once approved, in order to continue to receive the lower water rate, the Water User must:
- Be in compliance with the Sewer By-law.
- Consume > 6,000 m³ of water per year in the industrial/manufacturing process.
- Continue to be defined as an Industrial site under the property tax assessment classification.
- Submit an Annual Progress Report.
- Update the Water Conservation Plan every 5 years.
Who do I contact if I'm interested or have any further questions?
For more information regarding the water rate and tax classifications, please call Revenue Services at 416-392-4949.
For more information regarding the Sewers Bylaw, please call 311.
For more information about completing and/or submitting a Water Conservation Plan and Annual Progress Reports, please contact savewater@toronto.ca or call 416-392-7000.