Lévis, QC repair guide
Wells and Septic Systems in Lévis: What Q-2, r.22 Requires of the Homes the Sewers Never Reached
Lévis became one city in 2002 by absorbing Saint-Étienne-de-Lauzon, Saint-Rédempteur, Pintendre, Saint-Joseph-de-la-Pointe-de-Lévy and the rest, and the sewers and water mains never followed to their outer roads. Thousands of Lévis homes still draw water from a private well and dispose of it through a septic system under a regulation every rural Quebecer knows by its number, Q-2, r.22. This guide covers what fails on a well and on a septic system, what the regulation and the City require, how the City’s septic inspection and pumping rules work, and who to call when the water stops or the field fails.
By Michael, founder, fixmystuff.ca · Reviewed and updated 2026-09-11 · About 7–10 minutes
Septic systems under Q-2, r.22
A conventional system is a septic tank that settles solids and a leaching field that returns the liquid to the soil; the tank needs pumping every two years for a year-round residence under the regulation, and the field fails when the soil clogs or the tank is neglected. The signs are slow drains throughout the house, gurgling, sewage smell in the yard, and wet or bright green patches over the field. Lévis’s clay soils and the shallow bedrock of some sectors made many original fields marginal, and the City has run inspection programs that identified failing systems and required owners to replace them.
A new or replaced system needs a site assessment by a qualified professional, a design that matches the soil and the house, a permit from the City, and installation by an RBQ-licensed contractor. Where the soil will not take a conventional field, the regulation allows certified advanced treatment systems, which cost more and need a maintenance contract.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Slow drains everywhere, gurgling | Full tank or failing field | Septic pumper, then inspection |
| Sewage smell or wet patch over the field | Field failure | Professional assessment; City permit for replacement |
| Backup after heavy rain only | Saturated field, surface water on it | Divert water; assess the field |
| Alarm on an advanced system | Pump or treatment unit fault | The system’s maintenance contractor |
What the City requires
The City of Lévis applies Q-2, r.22 and its own by-laws: a permit for any new or replaced system, mandatory pumping on the regulation’s schedule, and in some sectors a City-organized pumping program billed on the tax account. The City has also run inspection programs that classified systems and required failing ones to be replaced by a deadline. Selling a house with a septic system in Quebec means disclosing its condition, and buyers routinely ask for an inspection; the City’s file on the system is part of that.
A contractor who offers to replace a field without a permit is offering work the City can order dug out.
- Tank pumping date and the pumper’s report
- City’s file on the system, including any inspection classification
- Site assessment and design for a replacement
- City permit and RBQ-licensed installer
- Maintenance contract for an advanced system
Wells: pumps, pressure and water quality
A well that stops is usually electrical or mechanical: a pressure switch that has failed, a pressure tank that has lost its air charge, a control box, or a submersible pump at the end of its life. A well that changes taste, colour or smell needs a water test from a lab accredited by the province, and the health authority recommends testing at least twice a year for bacteria; Lévis’s wells in the sectors near the farms and the older subdivisions have had nitrate and bacterial issues. Well drilling and major work in Quebec fall under the groundwater withdrawal regulation and must be done by a licensed driller, who files a report with the province.
Get the well depth, pump depth and the date of the last pump replacement from the previous owner or the driller’s report before calling.
Who to call, and what to ask
Septic pumpers are licensed haulers; septic designers are engineers or technologists qualified under the regulation; installers and plumbers must hold an RBQ licence, which the RBQ’s public register shows; well drillers are licensed under the provincial regulation. A plumber handles the house side of both systems, from the pressure tank to the fixtures and the drains to the tank inlet. Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act gives a ten-day cancellation right on contracts made by an itinerant merchant, and the City’s permit is your protection that the work meets the regulation.
Questions to ask before booking
- Is a permit from the City of Lévis required for this work, and who pulls it?
- What is your RBQ licence number, and does it cover this subcategory?
- For a field replacement: who does the site assessment and design, and does the soil allow a conventional field?
- For a well: what is the pump depth, and are you a licensed driller if the well itself needs work?
- What is the warranty on the tank, the field or the pump?
Frequently asked questions
Which parts of Lévis are on wells and septic?
Many homes in the outer sectors, including parts of Saint-Étienne-de-Lauzon, Saint-Rédempteur, Pintendre and Saint-Joseph-de-la-Pointe-de-Lévy, where the sewers and water mains never followed amalgamation.
How often must I pump my septic tank in Quebec?
Every two years for a year-round residence under Q-2, r.22, and every four years for seasonal use. The City of Lévis organizes pumping in some sectors and bills it on the tax account.
Can I repair a failing septic field?
Not usually. Under Q-2, r.22 a failed system is replaced under a City permit, with a site assessment and design. A contractor offering to patch it without a permit is offering work the City can order removed.
My well water tastes different. What should I do?
Have it tested by a provincially accredited lab, and test for bacteria at least twice a year regardless. A licensed driller or a plumber can look at the pump and the well head.
Nearby communities
Septic designers, installers and pumpers serving Lévis cover the whole Chaudière-Appalaches region, where Q-2, r.22 applies to every rural home. Well drillers work the same territory.
Browsing more broadly? Start from the Lévis repair hub for every local guide in one place.
Sources and further reading
- Québec: Q-2, r.22 regulationThe regulation governing septic systems for isolated dwellings.
- Ville de Lévis: septic systemsPermits, pumping programs and inspection results.
- Régie du bâtiment du Québec: licence registerVerify a contractor’s licence and subcategories.
- Québec: private well waterTesting recommendations and accredited labs.
Prices, programs, and acceptance rules can change. Check each source and obtain a written local quote before deciding.