Rigaud, parts of Hudson prohibit outdoor water use

Residents and businesses in the City of Rigaud, as well as the western parts of the Town of Hudson, are being asked to reduce their water consumption.

This includes a complete ban on all outdoor water use until further notice.

Residents were first asked to reduce their water consumption on Feb. 15 due to “water main breaks and leaks in the municipal water system, the drought conditions of summer 2025, and the cold temperatures since the start of the winter season.”

The City of Rigaud explained that these factors caused its groundwater reserves to struggle to replenish.

“To address this situation, the City must rely on water deliveries to maintain its reserves at the required level and meet essential needs,” it stated.

Prohibited outdoor water uses include, but are not limited to:

• Washing vehicles;
• Watering lawns and gardens;
• Filling swimming pools;
• Cleaning driveways and outdoor surfaces.

Examples of water-saving measures include:

• Taking shorter showers;
• Avoiding large water usage between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., as well as between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.;
• Running the dishwasher only when full;
• Washing dishes in a filled sink rather than under running water;
• Doing laundry only with a full load.

The City of Rigaud said it plans to inform residents “as soon as the situation allows our reservoirs to remain at stable levels.”

It added that water use is regulated and that “Quebec is among the world’s largest water consumers.”

“Quebecers consume 37 per cent more water than Ontarians and 19 per cent more than the Canadian average,” the city said.

“In Vaudreuil-Soulanges, groundwater supplies 71 per cent of the region and accounts for 54 per cent of the water consumed there. However, its use is nearly three times the recommended limit — 29 per cent of the groundwater recharge, while sustainable use should not exceed 10 per cent."

Rigaud isn’t the only community dealing with this problem, according to Gabrielle Roy-Grégoire, a public policy analyst at Eau Secours.

“I think what we’re seeing in Rigaud today is probably a case of many more to come,” she said.

Roy-Grégoire explains that while Quebec has some of the highest consumption rates in Canada, the majority of municipal water is designated for businesses and industry, as residents shoulder the blame.

Still, she says drinking water should never be used to wash cars or water lawns.

“If you really want to use water for those uses, try to collect rainwater in a barrel and use that water instead,” Roy-Grégoire said.

Rigaud Mayor Charles Meunier adds the city is using water deliveries to stabilize its reserves, and a new pump is also being installed to increase capacity.