Langley Grove Estates is a mobile home community of 225 residences nestled in a parklike setting of 45 acres.
Situated at 24330 Fraser Highway since the 1970s, the homes are cause for concern from an environmental, operational and maintenance point of view, according to the Township. The most serious concern is Langley Grove's septic system which consists of an oxidation ditch and tile field. The latter has been replaced several times.
A new sewer trunk line that was installed last year could ease environmental concerns.
The Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD) line is one kilometre away, and Township's support for Langley Grove's connection to the regional service is required, as is an expansion of the Fraser Sewage Area (FSA).
Previous expressions of support came in 1999 and 2006, based largely on concerns for water quality.
Kevin Larsen, the Township's manager of water resources and the environment, wrote in a report to council that the new regional sewer trunk line presents an opportunity for a connection to Langley Grove Estates, which would be responsible for hookup costs.
However, an attempt to compel Langley Grove to first connect to regional water did not succeed when council discussed the issue on March 14. Council referred the issue to staff for a presentation which will include the cost of a water line to Langley Grove, and whether council has the authority to make that a condition of the Township's support for the sewer connection.
Staff's report, expected later this spring, will examine whether the cost of water hookup will be too prohibitive for Langley Grove residents.
Two residents urged council to reject the request for sewer hookup to the mobile home park which sits over the Hopington Aquifer. It is the aquifer that provides the residents with their water, and is replenished by discharge from septic fields. Connecting to the regional sewer line will cause the water table to drop further, said Salmon River Enhancement Society director Doug McFee.
Development above the aquifer has been at a virtual standstill since the late 1980s when council, concerned about nitrate contamination of the underground water source, imposed a moratorium. Despite that, the water table continues to drop.
"No water is worse than water with nitrates," McFee said.
Damage to the river as the water table drops "is an eyesore for the Township of Langley," he said, warning that a connection to Langley Grove Estates could lead to other requests.
Gloria Stelting calculated the amount of water Langley Grove siphons off the aquifer in graphic terms: based on Township figures of 530 litres per person per day, and assuming two people per home, Stelting calculated that Langley Grove uses 240,000 liters of water a day, 10 times the amount required to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
"I don't think you can replace that amount of water," Councillor Kim Richter said.
Staff was unable to tell Richter how many people and food producers rely on the aquifer for water. She asked if there were plans for the estate to expand.
"Not to staff's knowledge," head planner Ramin Seifi advised.
Richter then suggested that if Langley Grove hooks up to sewer, the property must connect to water.
"I think this is a huge danger to the aquifer," she said.
