Outdoor watering and use of drinking water
By complying with the by-law concerning the use of drinking water, you are helping to ensure a stable and constant supply for everyone.
Inspectors will be out checking for violations. A first-time violation is subject to a $200 fine plus administrative fees.
The following are prohibited throughout the year:
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.
Every year, from May 1 to September 30, outdoor water is regulated as follows:
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.
| 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.
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.
| 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.
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.
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.
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.
From May 1 to September 30, you can get a permit by:
* 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 292,000 inhabitants. It is located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, and extends east and west of the Gatineau River.