Ville de Gatineau
Outdoor use of tap water
Skip to main content
Outdoor use of tap water
Outdoor use of tap water

In this page

See also

During a heatwave or a dry spell, Gatineau may impose targeted restrictions on the use of tap water. Such restrictions would take precedence over information provided here.

Watering schedule from May 1 to September 30

To quickly access your schedule, enter your address below.

Building number:


You have provided an even-numbered address. Please refer to the appropriate watering schedule below.

Use of tap water Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Manual watering  
Mechanical watering  
from 8 to 10 p.m.
   
from 8 to 10 p.m.
   
Automatic watering  
from 3 to 5 a.m.
         
Filling a pool
Washing a car or a building
Other outdoor uses of tap water
 

You have provided an odd-numbered address. Please refer to the appropriate watering schedule below.

Use of tap water Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Manual watering  
Mechanical watering    
from 8 to 10 p.m.
     
from 8 to 10 p.m.
Automatic watering    
from 3 to 5 a.m.
       
Filling a pool
Washing a car or a building
Other outdoor uses of tap water
 
Use of tap water Even address Odd address
Manual watering Any day except Monday Any day except Monday
Mechanical watering Tuesday: from 8 to 10 p.m.
Friday: from 8 to 10 p.m.
Wednesday: from 8 to 10 p.m.
Sunday: from 8 to 10 p.m.
Automatic watering Tuesday: from 3 to 5 a.m. Wednesday: from 3 to 5 a.m.
Filling a pool
Washing a car or a building
Other outdoor uses of tap water
Any day except Monday Any day except Monday

Year-round prohibitions

  • Hosing down a parking lot, a driveway, a sidewalk or a public road
  • Clearing away snow by hosing it down
  • Manually using a hose without an automatic shut-off system
  • Using a hose connected to a building other than the one on which it is being used
  • Using more than one hose at a time other than to fill a pool
  • Wasting water due to a defective tap or valve

Exceptions to the watering schedule

Grubs and other parasites

Automatic, mechanical and manual watering are permitted for up to two hours when treating a lawn against grubs or other parasites. Proof of treatment must be displayed so as to be visible from the public roadway.

Newly laid sod or seeded lawn

Permits are available to water a newly seeded lawn or laid sod.

Permits are valid for 14 days as of the date of issue, and must be displayed in a window so as to be visible from the public roadway.

Permits authorize:

  • manual watering at any time;
  • mechanical watering between 8 and 10 a.m. and between 8 and 10 p.m.; or
  • automatic watering between 3 and 5 a.m.

Turf

Permits also authorize mechanical or automatic watering of turf at any time.

Where can you get a permit?

Permits are available from May 1 to September 30.

The cost of a permit is set out in Gatineau bylaw 61-2006. For 2025, the fee is $25.

Saving water for essentials!

Gatineau encourages the public to use tap water responsibly at all times. There are several ways we can reduce our water usage. See here for ways to save tap water.

Frequently asked questions

Notice

The information presented on this page does not replace the provisions contained in official regulations. For more information, consult By-law No. 482-2009 (in French only).

About Gatineau

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.

Return to top of page