Regulations concerning water use : What you need to know

Last updated July 28, 2025
Reading time: 3 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.

Recommendations to reduce water consumption 

These tips are not part of the by-law. However, they help reduce the amount of drinking water used at home. 

Limit outdoor watering

It is best to avoid watering plants, flowers and lawns during the day. In fact, under heat, water evaporates quickly before it even penetrates the ground. In addition, deep irrigation of the soil means you can water less often. 

Rain barrels 

Collect rainwater in a barrel and help reduce the amounts of stormwater directed to the sewer system. 

The right plants in the right place  

Consider sunshine and soil types for your plants. A plant that requires cool, moist soil but is planted in a dry environment will require more watering. Conversely, plants that love dry soil in a dry environment will allow you to reduce the need for watering. 

Washing your car  

Washing your car with a garden hose can waste large amounts of water. By using a spray gun, a bucket and a sponge, you save 300 liters of water. 

The pool  

Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation. 


Adjusting your consumption habits 

  • A shower that lasts an average of 8 minutes uses 60 to 80 liters of water. These quantities have a significant impact on the environment. To reduce consumption, several solutions are possible: install a water-saving shower head, control the duration with a timer or turn off the water when you’re soaping!
  • Keep a pitcher of cold water in the fridge rather than letting the tap run
  • Turn off the tap between uses, such as brushing teeth or washing dishes.

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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