By Ruby Pratka

Local Journalism Initiative

All boaters on Brome Lake must now have their boats washed before entering the lake unless they can prove that their boat or boats are used there exclusively. Councillors passed a bylaw imposing the requirement at the May 6 council meeting, and town officials are raising awareness of the new rules as summer boating season kicks into high gear.

The town’s boat washing station opened five years ago. Until now, washing was strongly suggested but not mandatory; the “growing threat of invasive species” prompted the town to make it mandatory, Town of Brome Lake (TOBL) communications director Ghyslain Forcier said in a statement.

“We had to act quickly to prevent the zebra mussel from invading Brome Lake. The risk is

real, since the species is already present in several lakes in the region, and many boaters

travel from one lake to another,” TOBL environmental advisor Anaïs Renaud said. “Once you get zebra mussels [in the lake], it is impossible to get rid of them and controlling them takes a lot of time and money. When there’s a lot of watermilfoil, there are parts of the lake where you can’t take your boat. We want people to continue to be able to use the lake.”

Beyond the immediate inconveniences for boaters, Renaud said the growth of invasive species threatens the biodiversity of the lake and can degrade some infrastructures, such as docks, over time. 

The new rules apply to all boats, including motorboats, kayaks and canoes.

Before launching, boaters will have to obtain a wash certificate by having their boat

cleaned at the station located at 685 Bondville Road. They will also have to empty any

compartments that may contain water, such as ballast tanks and livewells, away from the

lake, streams and ditches. After washing, they will receive a wash certificate, which they should keep with them at all times on the water. Violators could face fines, although Renaud said she didn’t anticipate major compliance problems. “People are used to washing boats now,” she said.

“It’s important to us that residents commit to having their boats washed if they visit

another body of water. The health of the lake is a collective responsibility. We trust our

residents, knowing that they take the health of the lake to heart,” said Coun. Louise Morin,

town councillor responsible for the environment.

 Motorboat owners who sign a pledge stating they will use their boat exclusively on Brome Lake can apply for a vignette exempting them from the wash certificate requirement. Applications will be accepted as of July 2 in person at the town hall or by mail.

The boat washing station is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until the end of August, and is free to use.

Further information is available at lacbrome.ca/en/boat-wash-station.