Watering

Lawn

Since January 1, 2026, By-Law No. 1821 prohibits the manual, mechanical, or automatic watering of lawns with potable water at any time.

Landscaping

Landscaping generally involves earthworks and includes flower boxes, planters, flower beds, vegetable gardens, gardens, shrubs, trees, and hedges, excluding lawns. 

A permit is required for watering a new lawn. No permits for the use of drinking water are issued between July 1 and August 31. The number of permits is limited to 150 at any one time throughout the territory, with a maximum of 10 for the Ravin-Boisé sector.

The municipal council may impose a complete ban on watering in the event of a risk to public health and safety or to municipal facilities (drought, anticipated water shortage, etc.).

Seeding and hydroseeding (14-day permit)

• Manual watering, sprinklers or automatic sprinklers: 7 to 9 p.m. and 5 to 6 a.m.

Sod (14-day permit)

• Manual watering or sprinkling: 8 to 11 p.m.
• Automatic sprinklers: 2 to 5 a.m.

The hours authorized for the use of drinking water will be specified in the permit.

Using City drinking water for the following is strictly forbidden:

• melting snow or ice
• letting water run or trickle (with the exception of properties that have been notified by the City during
  a freeze period)
• continuously supplying a decorative feature, except if the latter operates in a closed circuit
• washing a parking spot, driveway, entranceway or patio without a permit
• watering the lawn or other plants when it is raining or when the ground is soaked
• washing a building more than twice a year, except when removing graffiti or tags
• working a garbage disposal, sump pump, generator or any other equipment that requires pressure or flow of water from the distribution network to ensure its functioning or movement
• irrigating agricultural soil
• selling water from the distribution network or for reasons other than one’s own personal use

In cases of excessive water use, the fine for a first offence is between $500 and $1,000 for individuals and $1,000
to $2,000 for businesses. Note that fines are doubled in the event of a repeat offence.

Any excessive use/wasting of drinking water must immediately stop the moment it is observed by a City representative. The latter may then interrupt the supply of outdoor watering, pool filling, cleaning or any other unauthorized activity.

What is an automatic watering system?

A programmable underground sprinkler system with an above-ground nozzle designed to water vegetation.

By-law no. 1821 

As of May 17, 2022, a certificate of authorization is required for the installation of a new automatic sprinkler system. The system must be supplied by a parallel system to preserve water resources.

Parallel water supply system

The water used must come from alternative sources:

• Groundwater (wells)
• Surface water (river, lake, etc.)
• Rainwater harvesting
• Runoff, grey water or treated wastewater 

Mandatory features for all automatic watering systems

• Automatic moisture detector or rain switch to prevent unnecessary watering.
• Backflow prevention device to protect the drinking water network from contamination.
• Automatically controlled electric valve, installed after the backflow preventer.
• Handle or manual gate valve accessible from the outside, in case of emergency. 

Save water and protect the environment!

For questions or to obtain a certificate of authorization, contact infourbanisme@ville.vaudreuil-dorion.qc.ca or 450-455-3371.

Fines

Any person who contravenes By-law No. 1821 is subject to a fine between $250 and $2,000 for individuals and $500 to $4,000 for businesses.

In accordance with the By-law, outdoor use of drinking water can be partially or totally banned in certain conditions.

Washing of vehicles, walls and windows

Washing vehicles is authorized at all times, as long as it is done using an automatic shut-off nozzle or wand. Washing buildings with 5 units or less is permitted without a permit between October 1 and May 31 inclusively. Outside of this time period, washing is permitted, up to a maximum of two times per year, after obtaining a permit. Washing buildings with more than 5 units as well as institutional, commercial and industrial buildings (ICI) is authorized only if it is done using water other than the City’s drinking water

Washing parking spots, driveways, etranceways or patios 

Washing a parking spot, driveway or patio for the purpose of applying a protective coating is authorized once a year, with product proof of purchase, after obtaining a permit for this purpose. This permit is valid for two days.

Construction sites

It is prohibited to wash vehicles, equipment or entranceways/pathways using drinking water.

Swimming pools

Complete filling of new pools is authorized only once. Following this, you must treat the water when opening the pool for the season rather than emptying the pool and re-filling it with drinking water. A permit is required to install or repair a pool.

The complete filling of a concrete in-ground pool is authorized with a permit to use potable water for cleaning, stripping and painting. This permit is valid for 7 days, depending on weather conditions and technical requirements for filling.

A removable swimming pool over 60 centimetres high can be filled once a year. Following this, the water of the pool must be treated rather than removed.

When draining a pool for winterizing, the water level must be no lower than 45 centimetres from the skimmer.

Annual leveling, start-up or backwashing followed by leveling is authorized without a permit according to the following schedule:

• Even addresses: Monday, Thursday and Saturday
• Odd addresses: Tuesday, Friday and Sunday

Backwashing cannot be done for more than five minutes.

Spas

Complete filling or leveling of spas with a maximum capacity of 2,000 litres is permitted at all times, except during vegetation watering times. For spas with a capacity above 2,000 litres, regulations pertaining to pools apply.

Lanscaped ponds

Any set of landscaped ponds, with or without water jets, cascades or fountains, which are initially filled or leveled using drinking water, must be equipped with a functional system ensuring the recirculation of water. The continuous supply of drinking water is prohibited.

Treating parasites or insects

A permit is required in order to use drinking water to treat lawns for parasites or insects.

Car wash events

Car wash events held over two consecutive days are authorized with a permit, except during the period between July 1 and August 31 inclusively.

Skating rinks

Drinking water can be used to build and maintain noncommercial outdoor skating rinks, between November 1 and March 1 inclusively. No permit is required.

Residences served by the municipal water supply system and having a system that allows the withdrawal of water from groundwater, surface water from a river, lake or other source, rainwater harvesting system, stormwater, greywater or treated wastewater shall be registered with the City for authorization to water. After confirming that the water in a parallel water supply system is not from the City's aqueduct or raw water supply to a City filtration plant, a sign will be provided to the property owner to demonstrate that the property uses a raw (non-potable) water source for watering. The address will then be added to the City's registry. To obtain a raw water sign, please contact the Division environnement between May 15 and August 15. The sign is valid for four years and must be installed on the property in such a way that it is visible from a traffic lane when using the parallel system.

Why has the city now banned watering lawns?

Lawn watering alone accounts for a very significant portion of drinking water consumption during the summer. In 2024, average summer consumption in Vaudreuil-Dorion was 15,450 m³/day, compared to 11,900 m³/day in the winter. It is estimated that 50% of this difference is directly attributable to lawn watering. This overuse places significant pressure on production facilities and available reserves in outlying areas.

In a context where drinking water is a precious resource, the Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion has chosen to prioritize essential uses and reduce waste.

Why act now?

Every summer, the City sees a sharp increase in drinking water consumption, mainly due to outdoor watering. Despite all the awareness campaigns carried out in the past (posters, phone calls, the website, the municipal newsletter, etc.), the situation remains the same year after year. And often, the City is forced to impose a watering ban during the summer to conserve water resources. That is why the City Council has decided to make the ban on lawn watering official and permanent through its bylaw. The City is taking action to prevent critical situations, rather than responding to emergencies.

Is drinking water a limited resource?

Yes. Even though water may seem plentiful, the water intakes for the filtration plant are located in Vaudreuil Bay, where water levels drop significantly during drier summers.

Furthermore, producing drinking water requires:

• costly infrastructure;
• energy;
• water treatment chemicals.

Overconsumption can put pressure on the system, particularly during peak summer periods.

Why focus specifically on lawns?

Unlike gardens or landscaped areas, lawns do not need to be watered to survive.

During hot or dry periods, grass naturally goes dormant (it turns yellow). As soon as the rain returns, it turns green again and regains its vigor.

Watering a lawn is therefore primarily for aesthetic purposes and is not essential. 

Can I still water my plants, flowers, or vegetable garden?

Yes. Manual watering of landscaping (gardens, flowers, shrubs, flower beds) is permitted at all times. Unlike lawns, these plants require water to survive. Mechanical and automatic watering of landscaping is also permitted, according to the schedule listed above on this page.

Can I use my automatic sprinkler system?

You may use your automatic sprinkler system if it is intended to water your landscaping (plants, flowers, vegetable gardens). For your lawn, you may use your automatic sprinkler system only if it is supplied by a parallel system [groundwater (wells), surface water (rivers, lakes, etc.), runoff, or graywater]. You will then need to obtain a sign indicating that you are using untreated water from the Environment Division.

Water Resource Protection Bylaw No. 1821 came into effect on May 17, 2022.  Under this bylaw, the installation of any automatic sprinkler system must first be authorized by a permit, and the system must be supplied by a parallel system to protect the drinking water supply.

Therefore, if your automatic sprinkler system was installed within the last year without authorization, you have two options:

• Stop using the sprinkler system, or
• Submit an application for a certificate of authorization to supply your system using a water source other than the municipal water system.

If you have any questions or wish to apply for a certificate of authorization, please contact the Permits and Inspections Division by email at the following address:
mailto:infourbanisme@ville.vaudreuil-dorion.qc.ca

Does population growth explain this increase in drinking water consumption?

No. Water consumption for indoor uses (showers, cooking, etc.) remains relatively stable throughout the year. If population growth were the main cause, significant increases would also be observed in the winter, which is not the case.

Summer peaks are directly linked to outdoor uses, particularly lawn watering.

Can fire safety be compromised by excessive consumption of drinking water?

Yes. Water supplies must be sufficient at all times to enable emergency services to respond effectively.

Reducing non-essential water use helps maintain this capacity.

Does the City have any obligations regarding water consumption?

Yes. The City must comply with the Quebec government’s objectives for reducing drinking water consumption. One of the key priorities of the 2018–2030 Quebec Water Strategy is to promote the sustainable use of this fragile resource. To achieve this and to comply with the 2019–2025 Quebec Drinking Water Conservation Strategy, municipalities must reduce their drinking water consumption by 20% compared to 2015. To date, Vaudreuil-Dorion has reduced its consumption by 8%. 

These measures are part of a comprehensive approach aimed at the responsible and sustainable management of this resource throughout Quebec.

What is the City doing to help me reduce my drinking water consumption?

In 2026, the City increased the subsidy for the purchase of a rainwater collection barrel, which can be used to water flower beds, flowers, and gardens. Residents are eligible for financial assistance of up to $100 toward the purchase of a rainwater collection barrel, with a limit of two barrels per household per year. 

At the horticultural fair, the City offers eco-friendly lawn seeds—a low-maintenance blend that is heat- and drought-resistant.

As part of the Écodécouvertes series, the City is also hosting a conference on eco-lawns on April 23. Other activities on this topic are held regularly.