As water rates continue to rise across Ontario and summer water restrictions become more common, smart property owners are turning to rainwater harvesting systems to take control of their water usage. At Canadian Shield Consultants Agency, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners, farmers, and commercial clients in Toronto, Ottawa, Muskoka, and throughout Ontario design and install custom rainwater harvesting solutions that save money and protect the environment.
Here’s why rainwater harvesting is one of the best investments you can make in Ontario right now:
1. Slash Your Water Bills by Up to 50%
In cities like Toronto and Hamilton, municipal water rates have increased over 25% in the last five years. A properly sized rainwater harvesting system can supply 40–100% of your non-potable water needs (irrigation, toilet flushing, laundry, and even whole-house use with proper treatment). Many of our clients see payback in just 5–8 years.
2. Beat Summer Watering Restrictions
Ontario’s hot, dry summers often trigger lawn-sprinkling bans. With an onsite rainwater harvesting system, you’re no longer dependent on municipal supply. Keep your gardens, lawns, and landscaping lush even when Stage 2 or 3 restrictions are in effect.
3. Reduce Strain on Municipal Stormwater Systems
Heavy rain events are increasing across Ontario (just look at the Toronto and Ottawa floods in recent years). By capturing roof runoff in cisterns or rain barrels, you prevent thousands of litres from overwhelming local storm sewers, reducing flooding and combined sewer overflows into Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes.
4. Free, Soft, Chemical-Free Water
Rainwater is naturally soft and free of chlorine, fluoride, and the trace pharmaceuticals sometimes found in municipal water. It’s perfect for:
- Car washing (no water spots)
- Pressure washing
- Topping up pools and hot tubs
- Gardening (plants love the slightly acidic pH)
5. Qualify for Ontario Rebates & Incentives
Many municipalities still offer rebates for rain barrels and larger cistern installations. Toronto, Mississauga, London, and the Region of Waterloo have active programs in 2025. Plus, commercial and agricultural properties may qualify for federal or provincial eco-grants. Canadian Shield Consultants Agency handles all paperwork so you get every dollar available.
6. LEED & Net-Zero Points for Builders & Developers
If you’re building or renovating to LEED, Toronto Green Standard (TGS), or Step Code standards, rainwater harvesting is one of the easiest ways to earn water-efficiency credits. We’ve designed systems for multi-residential, industrial, and institutional projects across Ontario that helped them achieve Tier 3 and Tier 4 TGS compliance.
7. Drought-Proof Your Property
Climate projections show longer dry periods for Southern and Eastern Ontario. A 10,000–100,000 litre underground cistern ensures you have water security when municipal supplies are stressed or wells run low in rural areas.
Ready to Harvest Ontario’s Free Water?
At Canadian Shield Consultants Agency, we specialize in fully customized rainwater harvesting systems designed for Ontario’s freeze-thaw climate. From simple 1,000-litre above-ground setups to 200,000-litre commercial cisterns with UV filtration and pump systems, we handle design, permitting, installation, and maintenance across the province.
