Langley residents will be limited to watering their lawns once a week, beginning May 1 in what is expected to be a dry year.
News of the upcoming restriction came down on Tuesday, April 9, with Metro Vancouver water committee chair Malcolm Brodie saying water conservation now could save the region from an outright ban later. Langley Township and City are within the Metro Vancouver regional district which has authority over water restrictions.
The region’s reservoirs are currently at about 56 per cent of their historical average. They’re expected to be fully by mid-May, but Metro Vancouver said the summer is forecast to be hot and dry and could quickly drain water stores away.
“Last year, we had to ban lawn watering mid-summer because use of our treated drinking water for outdoor use was too high. This year, we’re hoping to avoid escalating restrictions for as long as possible, but it really depends on you. Let your lawn go brown this summer, and save water for where it’s needed most: cooking, cleaning, and drinking,” Brodie said in a statement.
The Stage 1 restrictions, which are set to be in effect from May 1 to Oct. 15, mean residents can water their lawns one morning per week. Trees, shrubs and flowers can be watered alongside a person’s lawn in the morning, or anytime when done by hand or via drip irrigation. Edible plants are exempt from the restriction.
Residents are also allowed to use rain water or any type of recycled water as they please.
Watering days are based off of property type and address and can found on the Metro Vancouver website. There are four stages of restrictions. Stage 1 restrictions typically go May to October but the dates can be adjusted depending on drought levels.
In 2023, Metro Vancouver brought in tighter restrictions at the height of summer. Langley City’s water consumption statistics showed that despite restrictions, use jumped as temperatures rise.
January 2023: 304,134 cubic metres
February: 273,850
March: 272,048
April: 358,509
May: 343,538
June: 367,922
“The City purchases water from Metro Vancouver, and they bill the water usage,” City communications officer Samantha Paulson told the Langley Advance Times in August 2023. “We receive the water consumption billings approximately two months later.”
If people ignore water restrictions, municipalities can impose fines but many opt to try education to achieve compliance and then warning before issuing fines.
“The City has been proactive in educating residents but will also act on complaints,” Paulson said. “We have issued approximately 30 warnings and two fines. Depending on the situation, the City’s Bylaw team would give the ticket to either the property owner or the tenant.”
Langley Township water comes from both Metro Vancouver and Township wells which are subject to the water restrictions, and private groundwater sources, which are not.
“Those on private wells are encouraged to abide by the same restrictions to conserve this shared resource. Private wells fall under provincial jurisdiction,” the Township said in summer 2023.
As of August of last year, the Township had “interacted” with 160 property owners over non-compliance with the bylaw department issuing four fines.
Water levels in Township wells are measured quarterly to ensure the aquifer is maintained. The Township has extensive information on water issues on its website.
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