Water tests

A broker representing a client who wishes to purchase an immovable not served by municipal water services must, when drafting a Promise to purchase, recommend that his client make his offer conditional upon a water test.

There are two types of water tests: a quality test and a quantity test.

The water quality test verifies the physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics of the water. The quantity test ensures that the well’s water supply and pressure are adequate for the intended use of the property.

The form Annex – Drinking water and septic system – Immovable contains comprehensive clauses that are useful for a buyer who wishes to have the drinking water quality or quantity tested at his own expense.

The broker must allow sufficient time to enable the buyer to fulfill this purchase condition within the deadline specified.

A list of accredited laboratories offering drinking water testing services in compliance with current regulations is available on the website of the Centre d’expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec.