JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report – Local Journalism Initiative
Facing a water shortage that has triggered the imposition of water restrictions since earlier this year, the Town of Rigaud is now stepping up measures as the summer months approach to encourage residents to limit their water consumption, and has hired a private patrol service to enforce the control measures.
Rigaud town council yesterday evening was scheduled to approve a contract for the private security company, granting it the authority to issue fines for unauthorized water use.
The town plans to “give this company the capacity, a bit like our municipal inspectors, to issue fines if there are ever situations that require it,” said Mayor Charles Meunier, who added that the primary purpose of the patrol will be to raise awareness about the water restrictions.
Although the patrol had already been making the rounds in the town earlier this month, the authority to issue fines has been sanctioned.
The patrol is one of a series of measures implemented by the town over the past months to limit the use of drinking water. Since February, restrictions have been in place prohibiting potable water to be used to wash cars, water plants and grass, to fill pools and wash outdoor surfaces.
“These measures have yielded results,” the city said via social media. “However, the arrival of warm weather has caused a significant increase in consumption, putting pressure on our facilities.”
The city also recommended optional measures for residents to take to reduce water consumption, including taking shorter showers; running the dishwasher and laundry only when the machine is full; and reducing water usage in the early mornings and late afternoons. These additional measures are optional, and will not be under the purview of this patrol.
Part of the water problem stems from a leak discovered in the town’s main water line along St. Viateur Street. The leak had been repaired May 14.
“As soon as we located it, we could repair it, and we quickly saw a rather positive effect on the (water) network,” Meunier said. Still, this leak had “caused a significant loss of water,” prior to that.
“We noticed that there are still other leaks in the network, perhaps other issues, too,” he added.
Meunier also noted that he has witnessed the “large, large majority” of Rigaud residents and businesses respecting these measures and making efforts to reduce their water consumption in recent months. “Frankly, I say bravo to everyone and thank you.”
The patrol will continue to make its rounds until May 30. The town is expected to put a new well in service that week in order to ease some of the pressure on the municipal network.