​Stormwater is rainwater and melted snow that runs off lawns, streets and other land surfaces. This runoff is supposed to be absorbed by plants and soils or make its way back to ponds and streams. However, more hard surfaces — such as pavement, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and roofs — especially in urban areas, prevent this runoff from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater has several environmental impacts, including flooding and the erosion of rivers and streams.

Stormwater management programs help protect the environment, property and water quality. The City provides several services to manage our stormwater system, and has developed an approach to funding stormwater management programs that calculates the fee according to the amount of rainwater runoff customers contribute. The stormwater charge is not a new fee. Stormwater services have always been funded through property taxes and the wastewater fee. However the stormwater charge will appear as a separate item on the monthly utility bill beginning Jan. 1, 2017.

For more information, visit vaughan.ca/stormwater.