Each municipality listed below requires, by regulation, the installation of a backflow prevention device (backflow valve) on automatic irrigation systems connected to the municipal water supply. In addition, it is mandatory to install a rain or soil moisture sensor to automatically stop irrigation when it rains or when the soil is already wet. This makes the systems more efficient and helps avoid water waste.
Fines for Non-Compliance
As a result, failure to comply with these regulations can lead to fines typically ranging from $100 to $500 for a first offense (individuals). However, these amounts may double or even reach several thousand dollars in the case of repeated offenses. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to verify the regulations currently in force in your municipality.
Summary by City:
| MONTREAL (INCLUDING BOROUGHS) Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory (reduced pressure zone valve required for automatic irrigation) Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (any automatic system without a sensor is prohibited) Fines ~$200–$500 for a first offense; up to $1,000–$2,000 for repeat offenses. Legal entities: approx. double. |
| LAVAL Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory (required by local drinking water bylaw) Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (rain or moisture sensor required) Fines $100–$1,000 first time; $250–$2,000 repeat (individuals). Legal entities: $200–$2,000 and $400–$4,000. |
| LONGUEUIL (INCL. AGGLOMERATION) Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory (under the 2022 water use bylaw) Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (sensor required for automatic systems) Fines ~$200–$500 first offense; up to $2,000 for repeat (up to $4,000 for legal entities). |
| BROSSARD Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory (same requirements as Longueuil) Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (same as Longueuil) Fines Similar to Longueuil: several hundred dollars per offense. |
| REPENTIGNY Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (moisture/rain sensor required) Fines $200–$500 first offense; higher if repeated. |
| BOUCHERVILLE Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Fines similar to Longueuil. |
| SAINT-LAMBERT Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Comparable amounts to other cities in the agglomeration. |
| BLAINVILLE Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (since 2023) Fines ~$200–$500 first offense; up to $1,000 repeat. |
| SAINT-JÉRÔME Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Fines similar to Blainville. |
| BOISBRIAND Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Fines similar to Blainville/Longueuil. |
| MASCOUCHE Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Several hundred dollars, higher if repeated. |
| L’ASSOMPTION Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Fines comparable to Repentigny. |
| MIRABEL Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines ~$100–$500 according to local regulation. |
| SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines ~$200–$500 first offense; more if repeated. |
| SAINT-HYACINTHE Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory (CSA B64.10 standard) Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (provincial model 2023) Fines $200–$500 (individuals), up to $2,000 repeat. Legal entities: $500–$4,000. |
| CHÂTEAUGUAY Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory (reduced pressure valve required) Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (rain/moisture sensor required) Fines ~$100–$500 first offense; repeat: several thousand $. |
| SOREL-TRACY Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines $250 (individual) / $500 (legal entity); double for repeat offenses. |
| MONT-SAINT-HILAIRE Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Amounts similar to Sorel-Tracy. |
| CANDIAC Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory Fines Amounts defined in the MRC Roussillon regulation. |
| LÉRY Backflow Valve Yes, mandatory (reduced pressure valve required) Rain/Moisture Sensor Yes, mandatory (automatic sensor required) Fines Amounts similar to nearby cities in the region. |
Sources : Official municipal regulations and public summaries from the cities (e.g., Montreal, Laval, Châteauguay, Léry), as well as press releases and local news detailing the new requirements and penalties (e.g., Sorel-Tracy). Each municipality has its own specific provisions, but overall, the installation of backflow preventers and rain sensors on automatic irrigation systems is now required. Significant fines may apply for non-compliance. All figures are based on 2024–2025 information available on official municipal websites or other authorized sources.