WaterWise
The WaterWise program is an initiative of the Township of Langley’s Water Resource Management Strategy. It includes a public outreach and educational program delivered annually throughout the Township with the help of Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS). Since 2002, the WaterWise program has visited communities and neighbourhoods informing residents about the importance of local groundwater and providing practical ways to conserve and protect our drinking water supply.
The WaterWise program:
Hosts free community workshops for residents on topics ranging from proper septic tank maintenance to management of private wells
Offers tools and economic incentives for residents to conserve water
Engages residents at their door and local community events
Provides elementary school level workshops and performances
WaterWise Contests!
Get to Know your H20! WaterWise colouring contest! July 1- 31, 2021
When you turn on the tap, do you know where that water comes from? Knowing about the sources of Langley’s drinking water helps us remember to conserve the quality and quantity of the water we drink, for today and for future generations!
Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) and the Township of Langley encourage youth under the age of 12 who live in the Township of Langley to ‘Get to Know your H20’ by colouring in a diagram that describes the sources of drinking water in the municipality, and entering it into the WaterWise colouring contest, for a chance to win a Havoc Storm Pro Scooter, sponsored by Fraser Valley Balance Bikes.
Copies of the diagram can be picked up at the LEPS office or emailed for printing- email [email protected] Colour the diagram and return to LEPS by July 31, 2021. Completed entries can be mailed or dropped off to #201- 4839- 221 Street Langley, or scanned/photographed and emailed to [email protected]
The WaterWise program is a partnership between Langley Environmental Partners Society and the Township of Langley to promote conservation of our drinking water resources. Contest open to residents of the Township of Langley only.
WaterWise Challenge: Go Golden and Win!
Go Golden and let your lawn go brown during the summer months and limit lawn sprinkling, a healthy lawn only need 1.5 inch of water, or 1 hour per week. Or better yet, stop watering your lawn during the summer months, your lawn will go dormant and turn green again when fall rains return.
Display a WaterWise lawn sign in your yard to show your community that you are conserving water this summer, and you could* win a RAIN BARREL!
How to Win:
- Contact the WaterWise Crew to request your lawn sign at [email protected]
- Proudly display your yard sign all summer
- Continue to show your community that you follow the message on your sign
- You will then be entered in a draw for a chance to win a Rain Barrel to support further water conservation efforts in your yard and garden!
- For an extra chance to win, take a picture of yourself with your golden lawn, and upload it on Facebook or Twitter with #GoGoldenTOL and #WaterWise
*To remain eligible, your sign must be on display all summer, and you must continue to show that you are living up to the Water Wise message on your sign.
Where Does Your Water Come From?
The water supply for the Township of Langley is quite unique for our region.
Our clean, high-quality drinking water comes from two main sources:
Metro Vancouver Water District: Rain and snow falls in drainage areas called watersheds up in the mountains of the North Shore and Coquitlam. This water supply is pristine, natural and protected. The watersheds are protected from urban development, closed to public access and managed as natural assets of the highest importance to the region we live in. 50% of the water consumed in the Township of Langley is supplied by the Metro Vancouver Regional District drawn from the Coquitlam Watershed.
Groundwater: 50% of Township of Langley residents are dependent on groundwater, either through private wells individual property owners are responsible for, or municipal wells, for which the Township manages. Our groundwater resource is shared with many users, including agriculture, industry, and the natural environment. In some areas, it is being used faster than it can replenish.
Learn about the Township of Langley’s unique water system through our Get to Know Your H2O video!
Water Conservation Tips
The average BC resident uses about 465 L of water per day! Well above the national average of 329 L per day. That’s the equivalent of about 118 4 L milk jugs per day! It’s time we challenge ourselves to conserve this precious resource. To find out how to reduce water use, both inside and outside the home click here.
WaterWise Gardening
Did you know that we use our drinking water to flush our toilets and water our lawns and gardens? Township of Langley residents and businesses use 12.8 million m3 of water each year; equivalent to filling 5,120 Olympic sized swimming pools!
WaterWise Gardening means selecting and maintaining native plants that can survive long periods without water. These plants naturally use less water to stay healthy during months when rain water is limited, helping to reduce water consumption in the garden. There are many species of plants available at local nurseries that can thrive in our dry summer and wet winter conditions.
Examples of native drought-resistant plants can be found here.
The Invasive Species Council of BC provides a handy brochure called ‘GROW ME INSTEAD’ giving gardeners native drought-resistant alternatives for common garden favourites.