Stormwater Management | Town of Cobourg

Stormwater is a form of wastewater whereby rainwater and snowmelt run off properties and often makes its way through the storm sewer system and/or a stormwater pond before discharging to the environment. Even if water does not directly flow from your property into our stormwater system, all the lands and roads in Cobourg are serviced by stormwater infrastructure. The purpose of stormwater management is to maintain the health of streams, lakes and aquatic life by mitigating the effects of urban development.

The Town of Cobourg stormwater management system is valued at approximately $70.2 million. Stormwater assets include:

Over 70km of storm sewers
3,474 manholes and catch basins
6 stormwater ponds
3 pump stations
65 outlets points
4 oil/grit separators

About Dedicated Stormwater Billing:

Past practice in the Town of Cobourg was to fund stormwater infrastructure through property taxes. Through asset management planning it was noted that Stormwater Management was under funded and an additional 1.2 million annually was required to properly fund the Town’s stormwater infrastructure.

In 2022, Cobourg Council adopted a Stormwater Asset Management Plan and approved the implementation of a dedicated funding source for stormwater management, similar to the full cost recovery system that is in place for water and wastewater assets in Cobourg.

In 2024 the fee structure underwent a detailed review and was revised to be a flat fee for properties up to one acre in size with additional fees for Commercial/Industrial/Institutional properties that are over one acre in size.

Billing Rates:

Council has chosen to implement a fee structure that will include a flat fee for residential and vacant properties.

Additional monthly charges per hectare will apply for all commercial, institutional and industrial properties that are over one acre/0.40469 hectares in size.

For a full breakdown of fees, please refer to By-law 065-2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Be sure to read this Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.

Why Are Stormwater Management Fees Being Implemented?

For more information regarding the implementation of new Stormwater Management fees please review the Stormwater Asset Management Plan and Funding Assessment.

Think Your Property Area is Incorrect?

The Town of Cobourg received all property sizes from MPAC. The appeal process for stormwater rates is related to the property area listed on your MPAC assessment.

If you are the owner of a Commercial, Institutional or Industrial property and you believe your property size needs to be confirmed, submit a property confirmation request form, and a Town of Cobourg staff member will follow up with you.

Property Confirmation Request Form

Billing Questions?

If you have questions about your stormwater management bill, please contact Lakefront Utility Services Inc.
Email: lusi@lusi.on.ca
Phone: 905-372-2193

Questions?

If you have additional questions and would like to speak with staff please email stormwater@cobourg.ca