Working together to make sustainability the norm.
Demonstration Site Project Request for Proposals
REEP Green Solutions is offering up to $4,000 to two Kitchener organizations that are developing
innovative solutions to address stormwater management challenges on their sites. Institutional,
commercial, industrial, retail, and multi-residential properties with over five units qualify for this
opportunity. Selected properties will be recognized locally and nationally for being community leaders
that address stormwater issues which affect all property owners. Past projects have highlighted
stormwater solutions that reduce the risk of basement and parking lots flooding, reduce the likelihood of
slip and fall claims, and reduce outdoor irrigation costs with rainwater harvesting. Project participants will
also qualify for a reduction in stormwater fees from one of Canada’s first stormwater utilities. Thank you
for considering responding to this request for proposals and providing stormwater management leadership
in our community.
Introduction to RAIN:
RAIN: An ecological approach to stormwater management is a multi-community project of Green
Communities Canada whose goal is to reduce the impact of stormwater on lakes and rivers in Ontario.
The RAIN Program in Kitchener is presently being delivered by REEP Green Solutions. It is
implementing an extensive community-wide program aimed to motivate property owners to achieve
stormwater volume and pollution reduction and identify which actions will qualify participants for
stormwater utility credits. Visit us at www.reepgreen.ca/rain to view examples of past demonstration
projects and the positive impacts happening in the community.
Introduction to the demonstration site projects:
The creation of stormwater demonstration projects on non-residential and multi-unit residential property
sites in Kitchener is intended to educate community members and business owners of their role in
stormwater management and inspire others to take action through the promotion of their project via local
media, social media, and public events.
Eligible properties have been grouped into five categories to line up with the project classifications for the
Stormwater Credits Program at the City of Kitchener:
 Industrial
 Commercial
 Retail
 Institutional
 Multi-Residential with more than five units
Best management practices (BMP’s) will be installed by the host organization on the demonstration
project sites and may, but are not required to, provide hands-on training opportunities for both the host
organization and other property owners. Preference will be given to projects that include bioswales,
infiltration galleries, and multiple BMP use; however, all stormwater mitigation projects will be
considered.
The deadline for applying is 4:00pm, May 15, 2015. Applicants will be notified by June 1, 2015 about
the status of their application. Project construction should be completed by November 1, 2015.
Phone: 519-744-9799
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Email: [email protected]
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Website: www.reepgreen.ca
222 Frederick St., Kitchener, ON N2H 2M8
Site Selection Criteria
Note: Top ranked properties will be subject to site suitability review. A site visit and interview may be
required to complete the selection process.
Preference will be given to projects that meet the following criteria:
 Project impact: Sites where anticipated stormwater volume and pollution reduction will be
significant and quantifiable as a result of project implementation.
 Innovative best management practices: Projects that will diversify the portfolio of RAIN
Demonstration Projects. Priority will be given to projects that include bioswales, infiltration galleries,
or the use of multiple BMP’s; however, all stormwater mitigation projects will be considered.
 Property type: Property types that will expand the portfolio of RAIN Demonstration Projects.
Priority will be given to projects located on multi-residential, retail, or commercial properties;
however, all stormwater mitigation projects will be considered. Visit www.reepgreen.ca/rain for
information on past demonstration projects.
 Monitoring: Willingness and capacity to complete simple five-question monitoring survey annually
for three years.
 Financial capacity: Organizations that can demonstrate that they have their own funds to settle the
balance of the project and maintain the project in the long term. Organizations must submit project
receipts for reimbursement of up to $4 000.
Site owners/managers must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for project grant
consideration:
 Interest in/knowledge of sustainability solutions at the individual and community level
 Willingness to participate in a RAIN Business Visit
(http://reepgreen.ca/what_we_offer/community-action/rain/rain_business_visit/)
 Permission from the landlord to undertake the project (as appropriate)
 Willingness to oversee project and engage contractors
 Demonstrated commitment and capacity to promote the project to employees, customers and/or
the public through media, social media, employee training, volunteer participation, etc. Willing to
provide permission to RAIN to use photos/videos/company logos to create and publicize project
profile
 Agreement to provide occasional public access to the site with permission for viewing of the
project and proof of insurance for general public access
 Commitment to funding long term operations and maintenance
 Agreement to post on-site educational signage (produced in cooperation with the organization)
 Project construction will be completed by November 1, 2015
Project categories:
The following are examples of stormwater best management practices. For more information, please see
stormwater management best practice definitions on the City of Kitchener Website:
https://kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/Managing_Stormwater_for_your_business.asp
1. Rain Water Harvesting
Cisterns are either a large above ground rainwater tank, usually concrete or heavy-duty plastic, or can be
buried beneath the ground to store large amounts of rainwater runoff for re-use.
2. Rain Garden
A rain garden has been specifically designed and constructed to receive, filter, and infiltrate stormwater
into the ground.
3. Permeable Paving
Permeable paving features a layer of concrete pavers separated by joints filled with small stones. Water
enters joints between the pavers and flows through the void spaces among the crushed stones where it is
stored and slowly infiltrates back into the soil.
4. Infiltration Gallery
An infiltration gallery is a drainage feature which has been designed to promote the infiltration of runoff
into the ground and is typically below grade.
5. Filter Strip (Bioswale)
A filter strip is a low-tech cost effective method to improve the quality of stormwater runoff. It is a strip
of vegetation that is placed along the edges of parking lots or other asphalt surfaces to capture and remove
pollution from rain water.
6. Multiple BMP Use
Stormwater best management practices can be used in sequence to further reduce the volume and
pollution level of stormwater entering municipal systems.
Application inquiries:
Send general inquiries to RAIN Program Coordinator, Allison Healey, at [email protected] or 519744-6583 x228.
Submitting your application:
Please submit an electronic copy of your application by 4:00 pm, May 15, 2015, to Allison Healey at
[email protected], or deliver or mail a date stamped hard copy to 222 Frederick Street, Kitchener,
ON, N2H 2Y3, to the attention of Allison Healey. The deadline may be extended if it is deemed that the
quality of applications is not sufficient.
Decision announcement:
Upon contest close all applications will be reviewed by the RAIN Expert Panel. The decision of the Panel
will be announced by June 1, 2015. Your organization will be contacted with the decision of the Panel.