Some 380 water meters must be installed in residences served by the Sherbrooke aqueduct network.
The initiative comes as the Quebec government imposes several measures on the province’s municipalities, such as the production of an annual report on their drinking water consumption, as well as the implementation of progressive actions to control the water loss.
Sherbrooke is calling on Sherbrooke citizens to install free water meters. (Maxime Picard/Archives La Tribune)
These measures aim to meet the objectives set within the framework of the Quebec Drinking Water Saving Strategy (SQEEP). The water meters that will be installed will provide a consumption report that meets the SQEEP parameters.
According to Philippe Côté, project section head of the engineering, water and major projects department, such a project could cost around $400,000, but the City will be able to benefit from assistance from Quebec covering the entire cost. costs.
“When we comply with certain SQEEP measures, the municipal water infrastructure program (PRIMEAU) is enhanced. We get more money to rebuild our infrastructure,” notes Mr. Côté.
The project has been in the works for several months.
Sherbrooke has achieved the objectives of the Quebec Drinking Water Conservation Strategy, but Quebec is asking it to implement certain measures. (Jean Roy/Archives La Tribune)
La Tribune reported this fall that even if the City reaches the objective set by Quebec by a few liters, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH) still requires certain interventions, including the installation of water meters.
-Residential water consumption stands at 216 liters per person per day in Sherbrooke, while the target set by Quebec is 220 liters in 2025.
Data collection will be carried out remotely.
Once the device is installed, no further action will be required from participants. The MAMH wants the project to be completed by September 2025. Installation in the residences should be able to begin by January 20.
Under no circumstances will the statistics collected be used to establish taxation based on residential water consumption, the City also specifies.
Quebec also requires the installation of water meters in all non-residential buildings (ICI).
In Sherbrooke, the majority of businesses and industries have already had meters for several years; there are more than 2100 of them.
A component affecting institutions is also being carried out in parallel.
“It is our desire to deploy it by the end of the year,” observes Jean-Pierre Fortier, head of the water management division at the City of Sherbrooke. The City has already issued a call for tenders for the purchase of meters.
What to do to participate?
- Be the owner of your residence
- Have easy access to the water inlet of your home
- Be connected to the Sherbrooke aqueduct network
- Reside at least eight months per year in their home
- Fill out an online form: sherbrooke.ca/compteur-eau
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