Drinking water quality

The Ville de Saint-Lambert, in collaboration with the Agglomération de Longueuil, monitors the quality of drinking water by means of frequent sampling and testing. It reacts promptly to any non-compliance to rectify the situation as quickly as possible and thus ensure that the public has access to a sufficient supply of quality drinking water.

In accordance with the requirements of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, every year the Ville de Saint-Lambert produces its bilan annuel de la qualité de l’eau. These assessments confirm that the municipality’s water meets all the requirements and standards in force. Residents can thus use the water with total peace of mind.

To learn more, visit the section on the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water (RQDW) on the Ministère’s website.

Among the contaminants monitored, lead and copper require a particular analysis process. The Ville de Saint-Lambert is therefore conducting sampling campaigns to detect and replace lead pipes throughout its territory in accordance with section 14.1 of the RQDW.

This campaign stems from the fact that lead is a recognized contaminant with harmful effects on human health. Since the 1980s, even small concentrations of lead have been found to affect the nervous system, the unborn children of pregnant women, and the intellectual development of newborns and children under six years of age.

While studies have not established a clear limit value for lead exposure, during the 2000s, the maximum permissible concentration was set at 10 μg/L. This was amended to 5 μg/L in the RQDW in March 2021. (1.;2.)

Homes built between 1940 and 1975 are those with the highest levels of these elements. These contaminants generally come from the piping and accessories used.

An annual water sample is taken from 40 Saint-Lambert addresses each year to detect any exceedances of the limit values permitted for lead and copper. If your home falls into the annual sampling batch, the city will send you a letter informing you of the results obtained.

If you have any questions, please contact eau@saint-lambert.ca.