(Quebec) The Rimouski Town Council is preparing to introduce a permanent ban on cleaning doorways with potable water. This measure, which goes further than Montreal or Quebec, aims to save this precious resource in a region hit by summer droughts, but arouses opposition from some Rimouski residents.
Posted at 7:00 am
The news was recently rumored by the journal Le Soir: Rimouski is preparing to tighten the screw on the “asphalt sprinklers”. Like several municipalities, including Montreal and Quebec, the city only allowed its entrance to be cleaned with tap water during a well-defined spring period, from April 20 to May 20.
But a draft charter, due to be put to a vote during the February 27 council meeting, aims to ban it forever. Of course there will be some exceptions, e.g. B. during the development work. In short, flushing your entrance with drinking water will be banned and fines for violators will be increased (from $150 to $175).
The news sparked hundreds of reactions on Journal Le Soir’s social networks.
To be honest, when I submitted the settlement ad, we didn’t expect such a reaction. I’ve been answering questions about this since Friday [il y a dix jours]… I didn’t expect there to be resistance in 2023 on an issue like this.
Jocelyn Pelletier, councilor and sponsor of the draft constitution
The rebellion is being led by citizen Jean-Claude Roy, who believes the municipality is going too far in regulating spring cleaning for citizens.
“It’s like they asked us to clean the house their way or take a half-full bath. It’s part of the privacy of the world,” protests Mr Roy, who agrees with the regulations currently in place.
The man started an online petition with around fifty signatures on Saturday evening. “The town of Rimouski, which I recently christened RIMOSKOV, comes with too many prohibitions and restrictions,” protests a signer named Sylvain, before signing “priviet” (hi in Russian) with a good feeling.
Another signer notes that “the one-time washing between April and May is not excessive and occurs at a time when the water supply is plentiful.” Instead, he calls on the authorities to “monitor the perpetrators who water their cedar hedge at night [un] perforated hose”.
Jean-Claude Roy finds the draft regulation poorly put together. For him, using tap water to maintain his driveway in the spring is a “responsible” gesture of good neighborliness and good manners.
“I was looking at the councilors’ listings on Google Maps… It’s sad, sir, it’s sad. Even if they watered it, it wouldn’t change anything. It is neglected,” says the man, who prides himself on taking good care of his paving stone. “I want to receive it. Dandelions won’t grow in my driveway! »
A region struggling with droughts
Councilor Jocelyn Pelletier was surprised by the very personal nature of the case. This indicates that citizens who want to wash their entrance can still do so with rainwater, on rainy days or with water from a collection bin.
“I was elected in 2017 and since then I’ve met a lot of delinquent people that we see watering their asphalt almost every day,” the elected official regrets. Taking drinking water to wash your entrance in 2023 I find normal. »
The municipal council recalls that Bas-Saint-Laurent has had to contend with serious droughts in recent years. Rimouski also had to issue irrigation bans.
The municipality notes on its website that it has noticed that in summer, during irrigation peaks, “our collective consumption was comparable to that of a town of 120,000 inhabitants, while in Rimouski we are 50,000”.
Researchers from the Ouranos group predict a drop in the level of the St. Lawrence River and rivers in the region. “These fluctuations in surface water could have an impact on the drinking water supply in the region,” says their latest report on climate change adaptation in the Bas-Saint-Laurent.
But since the water shortage is particularly acute in midsummer and watering paved areas is already prohibited at this time, why extend it until spring?
“We have to change habits. And spring lasts longer for some people than for others,” replies Jocelyn Pelletier, specifying that the elected officials seem to be fairly unanimous about the draft bylaws drawn up by city officials.
The elected official believes citizens’ reactions have been more positive than negative. “As for the petition, they could submit it and we would consider it. But for me there is no question of backing down on this issue,” said Mr Pelletier.
Office in Quebec
“The use of drinking water for the spring cleaning of an outdoor area without greenery, such as a parking lot, is only permitted between May 1st and June 15th. »
Settlement in Montreal
“The washing of paved surfaces (e.g. asphalt), terraces or external walls is prohibited, except during construction, development or for health reasons. However, it is allowed anytime between April 1st and May 15th. »