Water main break causes ‘major’ leak in Longueuil, boil water advisory
Posted August 14, 2025 7:22 am.
Last Updated August 14, 2025 4:21 pm.
Part of Jacques-Cartier Boulevard East in Longueuil was closed to traffic for most of the day Thursday due to a water main break causing a “major” water leak.
Longueuil Police (SPAL) reported that the boulevard was closed in both directions between Jean-Paul-Vincent Blvd. and Du Tremblay Rd.
The closure started overnight and lasted until about 4 p.m.
City working to assess the damage
The cause of the water main break forcing this closure was not immediately specified.
“The City of Longueuil’s technical teams are working to stabilize the situation, identify the cause of the break, and plan for the repair of the pipe,” the City of Longueuil told CityNews. “The City will provide updates as new information becomes available.”
Louis Pascal-Cyr, spokesperson for the City of Longueuil, confirmed the timeline of the incident.
“We were informed that there was a major break around 3 a.m. this morning,” he said. “Right now, we do not know the cause of the problem. For that, we need to shut the water and to investigate and to start doing the work.”
Pascal-Cyr explained that several valves need to be shut off in a specific sequence to avoid further issues.
“There are actually several valves that need to be shut and they need to be done in a certain sequence. So that is why it takes a certain time in order for the flow to stop completely.”
The city was looking to start excavation and repair work late Thursday afternoon.
“We believe that early this afternoon we will be able to start digging and investigating the cause.”
However, there’s no estimated time for how long repairs will take.
“Unfortunately, right now we cannot predict how long it will take. So that is why the boil water advisory is for a minimum of 24 hours, but it could be for a longer time.”
Boil water advisory and water ban in effect
A watering ban is in effect for all areas of the cities of Longueuil and Boucherville.
The City of Longueuil explained that these measures are necessary following the water main break on Jacques-Cartier Blvd.
“We asked the population of the city of Longueuil and the city of Boucherville to minimize their water consumption to possible, because this will help us with our work,” said Pascal-Cyr.
To find out which sector is affected by the notice, consult the interactive map.
The City has also issued a boil water advisory for Boucherville and parts of Longueuil.
“We have also issued a boil water advisory for a portion of the Vieux Longueuil borough and also for the whole of the city of Boucherville,” Pascal-Cyr said.
He added that low pressure or even temporary shortages may occur and that discoloured water in homes not under advisory can be cleared by running the tap.
“People may experience low pressure or even water shortage in their house. It’s normal. It is due to the different operations that are going around here. And if the water is a bit colored but they are not part of the boil water advisory then they should let the water run a little bit in order to clear things up.”
No concerns over water quality
Although this is the second water main break in the region within 24 hours, Pascal-Cyr says the incidents are unrelated.
“It is just a bad coincidence,” he said. “These boil water advisories are preventive. We did not have any result that tells us that there were any quality issues.”
He also reminded the public: “It is a normal and standard procedure to make sure that everybody is safe. Of course, maybe it’s a good time to remind that people need to boil the water for a full minute before consumption.”
Other ongoing advisories
The City of Longueuil had also issued a boil water advisory since Wednesday evening for a portion of the Vieux-Longueuil borough, near Bord-de-l’Eau Street East, following a different water main break that required urgent work.
“Boil water for at least one minute before consuming it,” they explained. “Continue doing so until further notice.”
The advisory will remain in effect for a minimum of 24 hours.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
