Industrial Water Rate Program

The Industrial Water Rate Program offers a discounted water rate to manufacturers in Toronto to help support economic growth and encourage water conservation (also called the Block 2 water rate).

The Program is open to manufacturers that:

• Use more than 5,000 cubic metres (m3) of water annually
• Fall within the industrial property tax class
• Are in full compliance with Toronto’s Sewers By-law
• Submit a comprehensive water conservation plan to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Toronto Water.

The Industrial Water Rate Program offers a discounted water rate to manufacturers in Toronto to help support economic growth and encourage water conservation (also called the Block 2 water rate).

The Program is open to manufacturers that:

• Use more than 5,000 cubic metres (m3) of water annually
• Fall within the industrial property tax class
• Are in full compliance with Toronto’s Sewers By-law
• Submit a comprehensive water conservation plan to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Toronto Water.

Expand AllIndustrial Water Rate Program accordion panelsCollapse AllIndustrial Water Rate Program accordion panels

How it Works

Step 1: Let us know you are interested in the Program

• Email savewater@toronto.ca
• Call: 416-392-7000

Step 2: Eligibility assessment

The City will confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements listed above. Companies classified as “mixed” industrial and commercial may still be eligible. See more below.

Step 3: Submit documents

If your company meets the eligibility requirements, you must prepare and submit a water conservation plan 

for approval.

Documentation receipt is confirmed within 48 hours of submission.

Step 4: Enjoy the savings of a reduced water rate

Should the plan be approved:

• Your business will receive the Industrial Water Rate effective the date that you submitted the water conservation plan.
• After the initial application, in order to continue to receive the discounted rate, you must submit an annual water conservation progress report by July 1 of each calendar year and continue to meet the other eligibility criteria.

Case Study: Example of Savings

Customers are charged the general water rate on the first 5,000 m3 of water use. Water use over that amount is eligible for a rate reduction of 30%.

In 2023, the difference in water rate is as follows:

• General Water Rate (Block 1 Rate): $4.3863 per m3
• Industrial Water Rate (Block 2 Rate): $3.0703 per m3

This would result in a savings of $125,020.

Company is “Mixed” Industrial and Commercial

In order to be eligible for the program, a separate meter must be used to measure the industrial flow.

If you already have a meter that isolates the industrial flow

• Advise Toronto Water of all meter numbers and identify which meter(s) isolate(s) industrial flow.
• Toronto Water will arrange a site visit to confirm which City meter isolates the industrial flow.
• Once confirmed, you can apply for the Program, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements.

If your facility does not have an existing City meter that isolates industrial flow

• You will need to purchase a new meter.
• Once the meter is installed, the City will conduct a site visit to verify the industrial flow is isolated.
• Once confirmed, you can apply for the Program, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements.

If you feel that sub-metering is not feasible for your facility

• Please submit a technical document that demonstrates why it is not feasible, along with your water conversation plan.

Compliance with the City’s Sewers Use By-law

A Notice of Violation (NOV) under the Sewers By-law 

(i.e. parameters exceeding the Bylaw) can impact eligibility to receive the discounted water rate.

If you receive one NOV in a calendar year

You may be eligible if you have responded to the NOV and rectified the non-compliance issue.

If you receive two NOVs in a calendar year

• The City’s Environmental Monitoring & Protection Unit will meet with you to discuss what actions have been taken to achieve compliance and what can be done to further comply with the City’s Sewers By-law.
• If your company continues to demonstrate non-compliance, it will lose the discounted water rate from the date of the second NOV.
• Eligibility to receive the discounted water rate can be re-established when the City determines compliance has been achieved. For sanitary and storm sewer discharges, the City re-samples and the sample results demonstrate compliance. The City may consider a compliance plan agreement in certain circumstances.

If you receive three NOVs within one year

• Your company will lose the discounted water rate from the date of the third NOV.
• Eligibility can only be re-established after the company maintains compliance for one full year (12 consecutive months).

Reasons a company can be automatically removed from the program until compliance is demonstrated

• Failing to provide a spill report within five days.
• Failing to submit a Pollution Prevention (P2) Plan, related updates or a revised plan

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