Regulations concerning water use : What you need to know

Last updated November 10, 2021
Reading time: 2 min
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Each day, the city supplies drinking water to more than 2 million people and thousands of companies. In order to encourage responsible consumption and ensure adequate water distribution, the city oversees its use. Learn everything you need to know about water use.

Compliance with regulations

Whether for daily water use or a spring clean-up, Here are some rules to follow when watering and using water.

What is allowed 

  • Using automated systems or portable sprinklers (e.g. oscillating sprinklers, porous hoses) on even or odd days, depending on whether your street address is even or odd. 

  • Using automated systems between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. or portable sprinklers between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., depending on the authorized days. 

  • Watering new landscaping or lawns every day for 15 days, following implantation or seeding. 

  • Operation of a landscaped basin that includes a waterfall or a water jet, which must be equipped with a water recirculation system.

What is prohibited and exceptions 

  • Cleaning paved surfaces, patios or exterior walls with your garden hose, except between April 1 and May 15 or for health reasons or as a result of construction that justifies it (such as a project that produces a lot of dust). 

  • Filling a pool between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., except between April 1 and May 15 or when installing a new pool. 

  • Using an air conditioning or refrigeration systems that uses drinking water and does not have a recirculation loop (since January 1, 2018).

Did you know that you can water a vegetable garden, planters, flower beds or plants at any time, except when it rains, using a water nozzle that shuts off when you let go? Watering with water from a rain barrel is permitted at all times.

Comply with watering restrictions

When a watering restriction is in force in your area, it is important to reduce your water consumption in order to ensure adequate water distribution. 

For the reasons mentioned above, the city oversees the use of water and ensures compliance with the regulations. Residents who do not comply will be subject to fines.

Precautions in case of heavy rains 

Heavy rainfall episodes are increasingly common in Montréal. They generate significant additional amounts of water in the city’s already very overloaded infrastructure. Torrential rains can also cause flooding in certain neighbourhoods or sewer backups in homes or apartments. 

To help mitigate these risks and prevent excess stormwater from making things worse, the city strongly recommends restricting activities such as bathing, washing, leaving the dishwasher, etc.

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