Overhead system — Medium-voltage lines
Do a visual check to see whether there is a minimum of 7.5 metres between the closest medium-voltage line and any part of the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.).
MAKE A ROUGH VISUAL ESTIMATE OF THE DISTANCE.
NEVER BRING ANY INSTRUMENT NEAR THESE POWER LINES (TAPE MEASURES OR OTHER TOOLS).
Overhead system — Low-voltage lines
Low-voltage lines are located below the medium-voltage lines. They can consist of three separate wires or three wires twisted together.
Do a visual check to see whether there is a minimum of 5 metres between the closest low-voltage line and any part of the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.).
MAKE A ROUGH VISUAL ESTIMATE OF THE DISTANCE.
NEVER BRING ANY INSTRUMENT NEAR THESE POWER LINES (TAPE MEASURES OR OTHER TOOLS).
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Overhead system — Lines connecting the house to the power system
The lines connecting your house to the power system consist of three twisted wires—two insulated wires around a single bare wire.
Do a visual check to see whether there is a minimum of 5 metres between the wires connecting your house to the power system and any part of the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.).
MAKE A ROUGH VISUAL ESTIMATE OF THE DISTANCE.
NEVER BRING ANY INSTRUMENT NEAR THESE POWER LINES (TAPE MEASURES OR OTHER TOOLS).
Overhead system — Telecommunications lines
Telecommunications lines (telephone and cable) are below the low-voltage lines. They are thick cables with a black rubber insulating sheath.
Do a visual check to see whether there is a minimum of 5 metres between the telecommunications lines and any part of the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.).
Compliance with this clearance distance is the responsibility of telecommunications companies, not Hydro-Québec.
Overhead system — Guy wire
A guy wire is a metal cable covered with yellow plastic at the base. This cable connects the utility pole to the ground in order to stabilize it.
Check that there is a minimum of 0.75 metres between the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.) and the guy anchor.
Overhead system — Respecting rights for system maintenance
Permanent installations such as a pool or spa are not allowed within a 1.5-metre strip of land on either side of a distribution line. However, you may put up a fence less than six feet high or a moveable shed of less than 13 m2.
Respecting servitudes
It is always wise to check whether the location of a new pool or spa is in a servitude belonging to a public utility company, municipality or neighbour.
Overhead-underground system — Medium-voltage lines
Do a visual check to see whether there is a minimum of 7.5 metres between the closest medium-voltage line and any part of the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.)./p>
MAKE A ROUGH VISUAL ESTIMATE OF THE DISTANCE.
NEVER BRING ANY INSTRUMENT NEAR THESE POWER LINES (TAPE MEASURES OR OTHER TOOLS).
Overhead-underground system — Low-voltage lines
Low-voltage lines are located below the medium-voltage lines. They can consist of three separate and stacked wires or three wires twisted together.
Do a visual check to see whether there is a minimum of 5 metres between the closest low-voltage line and any part of the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.).
MAKE A ROUGH VISUAL ESTIMATE OF THE DISTANCE.
NEVER BRING ANY INSTRUMENT NEAR THESE POWER LINES (TAPE MEASURES OR OTHER TOOLS).
Overhead-underground system — Service cable to the house
An underground cable connects the overhead distribution system to your home. The cable runs through a conduit or directly through the ground.
You must contact Info-Excavation to ensure that the location of your pool or spa does not impact the service cable or any other underground equipment belonging to a utility company (electricity, gas, telecommunications).
Info-Excavation centralizes the locate requests for most of Québec’s underground infrastructure operators, including Hydro-Québec. This service is free.
If there is underground equipment on your property, the operator’s representative will indicate the location on the ground.
However, in an overhead-underground system, the service cable may belong to the homeowner. In this case, it is neither the responsibility of Info-Excavation nor Hydro-Québec to locate the cable.
Following the technician’s visit, if the location of the service cable is not indicated up to your meter, the cable belongs to the homeowner.
In this case, you must call upon the services of an underground cable locator. Ask the representative to determine the location of the cable as accurately as possible.
The horizontal clearance between a service cable and the inside wall of a pool or spa must be at least 1.5 metres.
Contact Hydro-Québec if you have any questions about clearance. A representative will inform you of the minimum clearances to safely install your pool or spa.
Under no circumstances should a service cable run under a pool or spa, regardless of the depth at which it is buried.
You must know the location of the service cable before drawing up the plans to install your pool or spa. Continue the assessment for a complete overview of the situation.
Overhead-underground system – Telecommunications lines
Telecommunications lines (telephone and cable) are below the low-voltage lines. They are thick cables with a black rubber insulating sheath.
Do a visual check to see whether there is a minimum of 5 metres between the closest telecommunications line and any part of the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.).
Compliance with this clearance distance is the responsibility of telecommunications companies, not Hydro-Québec.
Overhead-underground system — Guy wire
A guy wire is a metal cable covered with yellow plastic at the base. This cable connects the utility pole to the ground in order to stabilize it.
Check that there is at least 0.75 metres between the pool, spa or related equipment (platform, slide, diving board, ladder, etc.) and the guy anchor.
Overhead system — Property and servitude rights for system maintenance
Permanent installations such as a pool or spa are not allowed within a 1.5-metre strip of land on either side of a distribution line. However, the installation of a fence of up to 6 feet or a moveable shed of up to 13 m2 may be permitted.
Respecting servitudes
It is always wise to check whether the location of a new pool or spa is in a servitude belonging to a public utility company, municipality or neighbour.
Underground power system
Before selecting a location for your pool or spa, you must ensure that there are no underground wires or equipment belonging to public utilities that could interfere with the planned installation.
File a request with Info-Excavation to find out whether there are any cables or equipment buried near the planned location of your new pool or spa.
Info-Excavation centralizes the locate requests for most of Québec’s underground infrastructure operators, including Hydro-Québec. This service is free.
If there is any underground equipment on your property, the operator’s representative will indicate its location on the ground. Info-Excavation will only indicate lines and equipment installed by member utility companies.
If the location of the service cable is not indicated up to your meter, the cable belongs to the homeowner.
In this case, you must call upon the services of an underground cable locator. Ask the representative to determine the location of the cable as accurately as possible.
Minimum clearance between underground cables and the inside wall of the pool or spa
Contact Hydro-Québec once the underground cables to your meter have been located. Our technicians will then be able to tell you how far your pool or spa must be from the cables in order to comply with safety standards.
The minimum horizontal clearance between the cable and the inside wall of the pool varies depending on the type of cable. It can be anywhere from 1.5 metres (home service cables) to 6 metres (medium-voltage cables).
Under no circumstances should a service cable run under a pool or spa.
You must know the location of the underground infrastructure before drawing up the plans to install your pool or spa. Continue the assessment for a complete overview of the situation.
Respecting servitudes
It is always wise to check whether the location of a new pool or spa is in a servitude belonging to a public utility company, municipality or neighbour.
Results of your assessment of the installation of your pool or spa
Thank you for taking the time to check whether your pool or spa has been properly installed and for helping to keep your neighborhood safe.
Next step
Reminder: underground cables, pipes and equipment
You must ensure that there are no underground wires or equipment belonging to public utilities (electricity, gas, telecommunications) on your property.
To do so, contact Info-Excavation. This service is free.
Fill out an online request on the Info-Excavation Web site 
Be sure to mention that you are inquiring about the installation of a pool or spa.
If there is an underground infrastructure belonging to an Info-Excavation member on your property, the operator’s representative will indicate its location on the ground. Info-Excavation will only indicate lines and equipment installed by member utility companies.
If your project does not meet installation standards
Contact your installer to draft new plans that comply with clearance standards.
Still unsure?
Fill out a request form. A Hydro-Québec representative will clarify the situation.
The information in your assessment will be automatically transferred with the form.
