Sewer and water supply
Everything you need to know about water main breaks, one-way flushing, and sewer backups.
If you have a problem with the water or sewer system, the first thing you should do is call the Public Works Department immediately at 514-457-6844.
Sewer backup
The video inspection should allow us to examine the pipe all the way to the connection with the city’s main sanitary sewer, in order to determine where the problem lies.
- Locate and mark on the ground, outdoors, the exact location of any blockages or malfunctions detected;
- Clear the sewer if necessary.
- Please contact the Public Works Department immediately at 514-457-1001; the department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- You must also report the damage in writing to the City Clerk within 15 days; otherwise, your claim may be denied.
Before beginning any excavation work, make an appointment with the Public Works Department (24 to 48 hours in advance) to have the outdoor shut-off valve inspected.
Water main break
If you notice water gushing onto the street or if the water pressure is low, it is likely caused by a water main break. A water main break occurs when the main pipe on your street breaks underground.
To repair the pipe, it is necessary to temporarily shut off the water supply in the affected area. To notify residents of an upcoming water outage, notices are delivered directly to their homes.
The duration of the work depends on the time required to repair the leak. Water service is restored as soon as the repair is complete.
Once water service is restored, the water from your faucet may appear yellowish or brownish. Let the cold water run from your faucet until it becomes clear. Then repeat this process with all the other faucets in your home.
This step is necessary to thoroughly flush your internal plumbing lines and the service line connecting your home to the municipal water main.
Pipe freeze protection
During the winter, cold temperatures can cause freezing problems in the water system. You’ll notice this when water doesn’t come out when you turn on the faucet
If you think a water pipe is frozen, notify the Public Works Department. A team will come to your location to assess the situation and provide guidance. Depending on the issue, you will then be referred to a pipe thawing contractor.
Rinsing and inspection
To ensure the quality of drinking water, the City of Pincourt must perform maintenance work on its water system every year. Among other things, it must inspect fire hydrants and perform a one-way flush of the system.
The City has hired a firm to inspect fire hydrants. Its mandate is to assess the capacity of the water supply system, identify areas prone to leaks, and evaluate the condition of the equipment. In other words, the purpose of the fire hydrant inspection is to ensure they are functioning properly.
Flushing is generally performed in the fall, Monday through Friday. A notice will be posted one week in advance on electronic signs and the website.
This annual maintenance operation helps remove naturally occurring minerals in the water that build up on the inner walls of the pipes.
Over time, a buildup of deposits would reduce water flow and pressure in the water system, which is why annual flushing is so important.
To clean the water system, the flow rate of water in the pipes is increased through strategic operation of fire hydrants and main line valves.
During the inspection, you may notice a slight drop in water pressure or discoloration of your water. You may also hear the noise of the truck and water flowing from the fire hydrants.
The discoloration of the water is caused by rust particles that are dislodged from the inside walls of the pipes.
- Avoid doing laundry or washing dishes between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- If your water is cloudy or discolored, let cold water run from the tap until it clears up.
Water discoloration
Tap water can sometimes turn white, gray, yellow, brown, or orange.
Water discoloration is caused by minerals naturally present in the water that are dislodged from the inner walls of a pipe when there are changes in pressure or flow rate.
Certain activities can cause water discoloration:
- Operating valves in the water supply system;
- Work on pipes (flushing, repair, or replacement);
- Inspection of fire hydrants.
- Let the cold water run for a few minutes (about 10 to 15 minutes) until it runs clear before using it.
- Make sure the water is clear before doing laundry to avoid staining your clothes.
Unless otherwise specified, the water remains safe to drink.
The water coming out of your faucet may sometimes look cloudy and have a whitish tint. This is caused by air bubbles forming in the pipes, especially when it’s cold outside. These bubbles are harmless.
Just let the water run for about a minute, or let your glass of water sit for a few moments, and the water will clear up.
Unless otherwise specified, the water remains safe to drink.
Service box
It is essential to know the location of your service valve. The service valve, commonly known as the “water shut-off valve,” is the water inlet valve for your home and is crucial in the event of a malfunction in your main water supply valve.
There are two places where you can shut off the water supply to your home:
- The water inlet valve, usually located in the basement of your home;
- The service box, located outside, at the front of your home, along the property line
Have no idea where your service box is located? Call the Public Works Department.
A team will come to your home to locate your service box using specialized equipment. Once located, they will adjust your service box.
Turning the water on and off
The Public Works Department can open or close your main water service line. Whether you’re planning repairs or renovations, you must notify us at least 48 hours in advance—except in emergencies—so that we can inspect the condition of your water service line before work begins.
Information
To have your service box opened or closed, please contact the Public Works Department. Fees apply for emergency closures on weekends.
Outside these hours, please contact Public Safety at 514-457-1001
Check valves
Municipal regulations require building owners to install a check valve on their sewer connection pipe to prevent basement flooding in the event of a sanitary or storm sewer backup.
A backflow preventer is a device installed in a property’s sewer line. It allows water to flow toward the street and prevents water from flowing back toward the house in the event of a sewer system backup.
This safety mechanism is particularly useful for preventing sewer backups, especially during heavy rains or exceptional weather conditions.
Installing a check valve can protect your basement from water damage and save you from costly repairs.
- If you want it to work properly, check the backflow preventer occasionally to make sure it isn’t clogged;
- When it rains heavily or snow melts quickly, reduce your water usage to prevent sewer water from entering the drainage system through the backflow preventer.
Do you have questions about the installation of your backflow preventer or don’t know where it is located in your home? You should contact a plumber. You can find a list of professionals on the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ) web page.
