Ville de Gatineau encourages its residents to use drinking water responsibly at all times. This is all the more important in summer, when watering and outdoor uses cause a significant increase in daily usage. There are several tips to help you save drinking water. Discover them here!
Inspectors will be out checking for violations. A first-time violation is subject to a $200 fine plus administrative fees.
By-law
The following are prohibited throughout the year:
hosing down a driveway, sidewalk, public or private road or a neighbouring property;
hosing down a pile of snow;
manually using a hose that does not have an automatic shut-off system;
using a hose connected to a building other than the one for which it is intended;
using more than one hose at a time, unless to fill a pool; and
failing to repair a defective tap or valve and thereby wasting water.
Monday is the day off!
Every year, from May 1 to September 30, the outdoor use of municipal drinking water is prohibited. This includes manual and mechanical watering of gardens, lawns, trees and shrubs, washing vehicles or buildings, and filling pools.
Watering
Every year, from May 1 to September 30, outdoor water is regulated as follows:
for even addresses, mechanical watering is permitted between 3 and 5 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays;
for odd addresses, mechanical watering is permitted between 3 and 5 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays;
manual watering of gardens, lawns, trees and shrubs is permitted every day except Monday.
To find out whether you are allowed to use mechanical watering, enter your address below.
You have provided an even address. See below for when the outdoor use of municipal drinking water is permitted at your address.
In the event of a heat wave or dry spell, Gatineau may issue exceptional restrictions on the use of municipal drinking water. Such restrictions shall take precedence over those provided on this page.
For additional information feel free to call 311 at any time.
Mechanical watering*
Day
Even Address
Monday
Prohibited all day
Tuesday
Early morning (3 to 5 a.m.)
Wednesday
Prohibited all day
Thursday
Early morning (3 to 5 a.m.)
Friday
Prohibited all day
Saturday
Early morning (3 to 5 a.m.)
Sunday
Prohibited all day
* Any form of watering other than manual watering.
Manual watering
Manually watering your yard, lawn, trees, shrubs, garden or flowers, washing your car or recreational vehicle, building or structure, or filling your pool are permitted as per the following:
Day
Even Address
Monday
Prohibited all day
Tuesday to Sunday
Permitted at all times
The hose being used must have an automatic shut-off system.
Two or more hoses may be used at the same time to fill a pool.
You have provided an odd address. See below for when the outdoor use of municipal drinking water is permitted at your address.
In the event of a heat wave or dry spell, Gatineau may issue exceptional restrictions on the use of municipal drinking water. Such restrictions shall take precedence over those provided on this page.
For additional information feel free to call 311 at any time.
Mechanical watering*
Day
Odd Address
Monday
Prohibited all day
Tuesday
Prohibited all day
Wednesday
Early morning (3 to 5 a.m.)
Thursday
Prohibited all day
Friday
Early morning (3 to 5 a.m.)
Saturday
Prohibited all day
Sunday
Early morning (3 to 5 a.m.)
* Any form of watering other than manual watering.
Manual watering
Manually watering your yard, lawn, trees, shrubs, garden or flowers, washing your car or recreational vehicle, building or structure, or filling your pool are permitted as per the following:
Day
Odd Address
Monday
Prohibited all day
Tuesday to Sunday
Permitted at all times
The hose being used must have an automatic shut-off system.
Two or more hoses may be used at the same time to fill a pool.
Exceptions under the by-law
Treatment against grubs and other parasites
Lawns that have been treated for grubs and other parasites may be watered, either mechanically or manually, for up to two hours on the same day as the treatment is applied. Proof of treatment must be posted so as to be visible from the public right-of-way.
Newly laid sod or newly seeded lawn
You can get a permit for the mechanical or manual watering of a newly seeded lawn or newly laid sod.
The permit costs $25.
The permit authorizes manual watering at all times and mechanical watering any day but only between 3 and 5 a.m. and between 8 and 10 p.m.
It also authorizes mechanical watering throughout the day that new sod has been laid.
The permit is valid for 14 days from its date of issue, and must be displayed in a window so as to be visible from the public right-of-way.
Getting a permit
From May 1 to September 30, you can get a permit by:
Submitting a request online. The request form will be available from May 1 to September 30.
submitting a request online, in which case your permit will be emailed to you. Some of the newer streets may not yet be in the system. If that happens to be your case, you will have to go to one of the municipal service centres to get your permit.
Recognized for its quality of life, Gatineau is a city of 298,000 inhabitants. It is located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, and extends east and west of the Gatineau River.