Lachine residents were told on Thursday to reduce their potable water consumption after the borough was added to Montreal’s citywide vigilance list. The municipal authority said the designation reflects growing pressure on the water system and that it does not have the capacity to shut off the supply to the neighbourhood.
The request comes as Montreal continues to grapple with constraints on its water distribution network. City officials have issued similar reduction appeals to other districts in recent weeks, urging households and businesses to limit non‑essential uses such as garden watering, car washing and lengthy showers. The addition of Lachine to the vigilance list marks the latest expansion of that citywide effort.
Montreal’s water department explained that the vigilance list is a monitoring tool used to identify areas where demand is approaching critical levels. While the list does not impose legal penalties, it signals to residents that the municipality is closely tracking consumption and may take further steps if the situation worsens. Officials emphasized that cutting off the water supply to an entire borough is not an option under current conditions.
City representatives outlined a set of practical measures for Lachine households. They suggested collecting rainwater for garden use, fixing leaks promptly, installing low‑flow fixtures, and postponing activities that require large volumes of water during peak demand periods. Businesses were also asked to adopt water‑saving practices and to report any significant leaks to the utility.
Authorities noted that the vigilance list will be reviewed regularly, with the possibility of removing boroughs once consumption trends improve. In the meantime, they asked residents to cooperate fully with the reduction request to help maintain a stable water supply for the whole metropolitan area.
The city’s water management plan, still under development, aims to address long‑term supply challenges through infrastructure upgrades and demand‑side programs. Until those measures are fully implemented, Montreal will continue to rely on voluntary reductions and close monitoring of water use across its neighborhoods.