Water Quality Report
Read the 2021 Annual Water Quality Report.
The residents not serviced by Township water access water from private or community wells. The Township of Langley sources water from 17 wells and via the Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD).
Source water generally met the requirements of British Columbia Drinking Water Protection Regulations and the Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) except for one E.coli event at Brookswood Well #9. Following the positive E.coli sample, the well was shut down, re-sampled, and tested by an accredited lab. Upon two successive clean water samples, the well was reactivated. The well was monitored for an additional six months as per the recommendations of the Fraser Health Authority.
Additionally, the source water had exceedances to the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) limits for Nitrate (as Nitrogen) and Turbidity (ALARA). These exceedances at the Aldergrove water sources were reduced to acceptable limits by blending the water sources before the treatment process at Aldergrove Water Treatment Plant (AWTP).
Aesthetic Objectives (AO) for Iron, Manganese, and pH were also exceeded in the source water. For the Aldergrove water sources, these Aesthetic Objectives were reduced to acceptable limits through the treatment process at Aldergrove Water Treatment Plant (AWTP). The Township is currently looking into implementing possible methods and procedures that will further improve the quality of water provided to its residents in northwest and southwest Langley.
All distribution water quality met the requirements of the British Columbia Drinking Water Protection Regulation and the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality for E.coli, as there were no positive E.coli test results.
Aesthetic Objectives for Colour, which is caused by naturally occurring organic matter, was not met. There was also a high HPC event following the positive E.coli sample at Brookswood Well #9. As per the Guidelines to Canadian Drinking Water Quality, HPC is “a useful operational tool for monitoring general bacteriological water quality through the treatment process and in the distribution system. HPC results are not an indicator of water safety and should not be used as an indicator of potential adverse human health effects.”
The Township of Langley follows the GCDWQ recommended pH parameter of 7.0-10.5 for finished water. Approximately 433 or 17.89 per cent of 2,420 distribution pH samples were below the 7.0-10.5 range. The Township’s pH ranged from 5.7-9.56 with an average of 7.43.
Water quality reports are prepared according to the BC Drinking Water Protection Regulation (Section 11), which requires all water suppliers produce a water quality annual report and must ensure that the information be made public.
Read other Utilities water quality reports (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014) and Parks water quality reports (2016, 2015).
Cross Connection Control Program
A cross connection is any physical connection between a possible source of contamination and any drinking water piping. Backflow is the flow of water in the reverse direction within a piping system. When a cross connection and backflow are combined, the result can be a contaminant entering the water supply piping.
The Township’s Cross Connection Control Program is pro-active and safeguards our drinking water from actual or potential cross connections by tracking backflow preventers, building a strong backflow industry network, incorporating backflow prevention at the design stage of new construction, and promoting safe drinking water practices.
Backflow prevention Backflow device test report
Township contacts
Test reports for new installations or as part of final inspection of the building:
| Building Department |
|---|
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604-533-6018 |
Annual retesting, repairs, test reports, technical or program inquiries:
| Engineering Division |
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| 604-532-7300 backflow@tol.ca |
Frequently asked questions
| Why am I required to test my backflow preventer (DCVA or RPBA) annually? |
| Ensuring safe drinking water is important to health and safety. Annually, a Certified Backflow Preventer Tester performs a test which ensures the check valves close and do not allow any contaminated water to seep through them should water flow backwards. Just like any seal, the check valve seal can wear over time and allow contaminated water to flow into the drinking water system. |
| Who tests backflow preventers? |
| A BC Water and Waste Association Certified Backflow Preventer Tester with a valid Township Business License. The Township rejects test reports from Testers with either a lapsed tester’s certification or Business License. A test tag attached to your backflow preventer may have Tester contact information. |
| What is the difference between a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) and a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA)? |
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DCVAs are installed to protect against low or moderate hazards where a contaminant or pollutant will be more of a nuisance or aesthetically objectionable. RPBAs are installed to protect against a high risk or probability of a pollutant backflowing into your drinking water at home or at work. At the bottom of the RPBA is a relief valve port which provides a visual sign of a backflow problem by discharging potentially toxic water to the floor drain rather than into the drinking water system. Constant water discharge is a sign to call your plumber. |
| Where are Township Test Reports located? |
| Township Test Reports can be found here. |
| Where do I send test reports? |
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For new backflow preventer installations and as part of final inspection of a building, email Test Report forms to the Building Department at permitsec@tol.ca Forms may also be mailed to the Civic Facility. For annual retesting Test Reports, email forms to backflow@tol.ca with the facility address in the subject line. Forms may also be mailed to the Operations Centre. |
| Why do I send failed test reports to the Township? |
| The Township tracks all test reports, passed and failed. By submitting failed Backflow Preventer Test Reports, the Township’s database is current in case of a backflow incident. Furthermore, the Facility Owner will not receive Overdue Notices but rather Repair Notices. |
| Do I need a plumbing permit to install a backflow preventer? |
| Plumbing permits are required for the installation of all new testable backflow preventers and can be obtained from the Civic Facility, Building Department. Permits are required when installing or altering any equipment and are required prior to starting any work. Plumbing permits are not required for regular testing and maintenance of backflow preventers. |
| Who do I contact regarding annual and overdue test reports, or repairs? |
| Call 604-532-7300 or email backflow@tol.ca. |
| Who do I contact regarding new installations or other technical inquiries? |
| Call 604-532-7300 or email backflow@tol.ca for technical inquiries such as new installations, CSA B64 - selection and installation of backflow preventers, or Water Works Bylaw 2008 No 4697 interpretations. |