Absorbent landscaping

Absorbent landscaping is slightly sunken area filled with grass, plants and soil that helps absorb stormwater.

On this page

What is absorbent landscaping?
Benefits
Rebate eligibility and amount
Requirements
How to calculate absorbent landscaping area
Resources
Application and claim forms

What is absorbent landscaping?

Absorbent landscaping looks similar to grassed areas and can include other plants and trees. The landscaped area may contain a slightly sunken area and is built with specially blended soils designed to help hold water during and after a rainfall. Absorbent landscaping has a shallower surface depression and soil depth than rain gardens.

Benefits

Gives plant roots space to grow, leading to faster growth and resulting in lush, healthier lawns and gardens.
May require less maintenance with reduced watering and fertilizer needs, saving you time and money.
Enhances your property drainage, as absorbent landscaping can hold more water than regular sod lawns.
Helps prevent sewer backups and flooding during heavy rain by slowing down and reducing the amount of stormwater entering the drainage system.

Rebate eligibility and amount

Eligibility

Multi-family residential
Industrial, commercial, and institutional

Amount

$11 per metre squared of directly connected impervious area (DCIA)

Note: The RainWise rebate program is not retroactive. Projects completed before the application is approved are not eligible for the rebates.

Requirements

To receive a RainWise rebate for absorbent landscaping, the following requirements must be met:

Receive runoff from an impervious surface (e.g. roof, patio, or driveway).
Soil depth must be 300 mm.
Constructed a minimum of three (3) meters away from building foundations.
Must be sized to manage at least 75% of the directly connected impervious area as calculated in the absorbent landscaping sizing tool.
Must not contradict the City of Edmonton Drainage Bylaw. Here is some relevant information from the bylaw related to the release of water:

Roof and foundation drainage from a property is not permitted to be discharged:
- onto a pervious ground surface within one (1) meter of the building;
- within 150 mm of an adjacent lot;
- within 150 mm of a City of Edmonton right-of-way (ROW);
- to a location where the water has the potential to adversely impact slope stability, unstable ground, a ravine; or
- to a location or in a manner that causes or could cause nuisance, hazard or damage.

Make sure that you have all of the necessary photos and documents so that we can efficiently process your application and claim.

View guidelines for filling out your application.

Application form requirements

Before photos
Design sketch
Directly connected impervious area (DCIA)
Absorbent landscaping sizing tool (one for each individual absorbent landscaping installation)

Multi-family, industrial, commercial and institutional customers if available, please include:

Storm servicing plans
Lot grading plans

Claim form requirements

Photos:

Completed work
After excavation

Keep all project related receipts. EPCOR reserves the right to request project-related receipts for all RainWise projects to verify project completion and ensure program compliance.

How to calculate absorbent landscaping area

Use the Absorbent Landscaping Sizing Tool
Calculate based on the size your landscaped area needs to be to store the runoff generated from your directly connected impervious area (DCIA)
Aim to capture 100% of the runoff generated

Resources

Application and claim forms

The rebate process has two steps. First, apply for approval before starting your project. Then, once approved and project is finished, submit your claim to receive your rebate.

Front view of a blue single‑storey home with a simple lawn and minimal landscaping before the RainWise yard transformation.

Application formFill out this form before you start your project. We need to approve your project first so it qualifies for the rebate.

Front yard of a blue single‑storey home transformed with lush plants, ornamental grasses, and sustainable landscaping features.

Claim formFill out this form after your project has been approved and fully completed.

Questions?

Your questions and feedback are important to us.

Contact EPCOR

Email: rainwise@epcor.com