Densification in Brossard
Knowing that Sector A is one of Brossard’s oldest sectors, the city did its homework to determine whether its underground infrastructure, mostly built in the 1960s, was still adequate to maintain the service levels required to meet the needs of a growing population.
As a result, an independent technical opinion has shown that the sanitary sewer systems in Sector A and part of Sectors B and P are in a state of wear and tear. Consult the map of affected sectors.
In light of this advice, the municipal council adopted an interim control by-law (REG-435) in 2020, which prohibited densification in the areas in question. The city had acted in this way, because any densification project would have precipitated wear and tear on the sanitary sewer system and could have increased the risk of backups.
This regulation has been replaced by the new provisional regulation REG-486.
Infiltration and catchment problems
Most of the problem in sector A and part of sectors B and P comes from infiltration and catchment. These phenomena can occur when a network is outdated.
- Infiltration occurs when water enters the sewer system through joints between pipe sections, at pipe connections and branches, and through cracks in these pipes;
- Catchment is caused by the connection of pipes to the sanitary sewer system, whereas these pipes should be connected to the storm sewer system. At the time Sector A was developed, the use of storm sewers was not common practice. So, in the absence of storm sewers, the oldest properties in Sector A use the sanitary network for rainwater, which is no longer the norm.
Provisional Regulation REG-486
The interim control by-law enacted by REG-435 for sectors A, B and P is replaced by provisional by-law REG-486. This by-law concerns the issuance of permits or certificates (for work, interventions or use of a building likely to increase discharges to the sanitary sewer system) and has the following objectives:
- To provide a framework for development projects and, under certain specific conditions, allow them to proceed in parallel with the gradual completion of the infrastructure work required for the complete lifting of REG-486;
- To allow certain redevelopment and reuse projects if it has been demonstrated that the wastewater discharges generated to the network do not exceed those of the previous use of the building or site;
- To prohibit any request or project likely to generate an increase in discharges into the local sanitary network.
Work planned in sectors A, B and P
Since the coming into force of the Interim Control By-law (RCI Original), several studies and analyses have been carried out by the Technical Services Department to identify and plan work to upgrade the sanitary network in sectors A, B and P, as well as in the future downtown area. These major projects are as follows:
- Rehabilitation of the A sector, with complete reconstruction of municipal infrastructures on Audette, Agnès, Alfred and Albanie streets (construction horizon: 2024-2025).
- Construction of a collector to be partly installed on boulevard Provencher up to boulevard Taschereau in the A sector (construction horizon: 2026 to 2029, subject to city council approval).
In parallel with this work, a campaign to disconnect flat roofs will be implemented as a priority in the sectors covered by the provisional by-law, in order to increase the hydraulic capacity of the networks and thus enable development projects to be approved more quickly. This work will enable the gradual lifting of the provisional bylaw in sectors A, B and P as work progresses, until it is completely lifted at the end of work on the Provencher collector.
Renovations for residences in sectors A, B and P
If your project does not result in an increase in discharges to the local sanitary system, you may be able to carry out your renovations. Here are the necessary steps:
- Fill in the validation form that best represents your situation:
- Residential project – Download PDF form
- Commercial project (same use) – Download PDF form
- Commercial project (with change of use) – Download PDF form
- Send the form to [email protected] or in person at the Service d’urbanisme counter (located at Town Hall).
- Check whether a permit is required by consulting the Building Permits page or by contacting the Direction de l’urbanisme directly.
Important: do not carry out any work without first obtaining authorization to proceed and a permit.
