Water Service Options in Montreal

Unlike many cities where water is billed separately, water service in Montreal is municipally operated and largely funded through property taxes.

Who Provides Water in Montreal?

The City of Montréal Water Service provides:

• Drinking water treatment and supply

• Wastewater services

• Stormwater management

All serviced homes receive water through the municipal system.

There are no private residential water providers.

Where Does Montreal’s Water Come From

Montreal’s drinking water is sourced primarily from the St. Lawrence River.

Water is treated at large filtration plants before being distributed across the island through an extensive underground network.

Why this matters to homeowners

• Abundant freshwater supply

• Stable long-term water availability

• Older neighbourhood infrastructure may include aging pipes requiring homeowner awareness

How Water Gets to Your Home

Every serviced home typically has:

• A municipal water connection from underground mains

• Interior shut-off valves

• Plumbing systems connected to city sewer infrastructure

Most residential homes do not have individual water meters.

How Water Billing Works

Water service is generally not billed separately for residential homes.

Charges included

Water costs are typically included within:

• Municipal property taxes

Because usage is not usually metered, homeowners do not receive consumption-based water bills.

What Happens When You Buy and Move Into a Home

When ownership changes:

• Property tax accounts transfer to the new owner.

• Water service continues automatically.

• Lawyers ensure municipal taxes are adjusted at closing.

No separate water account setup is normally required.

Homeowner Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Interior plumbing systems

• Leak prevention and maintenance

• Protecting pipes from freezing

• Maintaining private service connections