Water restrictions are easing, but burning bans remain in place in Langley Township.
On Sept. 9, Metro Vancouver announced that heavy rains had filled reservoirs enough that the Stage 3 watering restrictions could be rolled back. Metro Vancouver water users are now on Stage 2 restrictions.
The reservoirs are now within the seasonal average again, said Carol Mason, commissioner of the Greater Vancouver Water District and Metro Vancouver’s chief administrative officer.
The Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam reservoirs are now at 60 per cent of storage capacity.
“Collectively, we did a tremendous job conserving water during the months of hot, dry weather,” said Metro Vancouver chair Greg Moore.
The target for water use was 1.2 billion litres a day for Metro water users, and that was maintained shortly after the Stage 3 restrictions went into effect.
Restrictions could be eased further if use remains within the normal range and the reservoirs stay sufficiently full.
The long, dry spring and summer depleted water supplies across the region, and led to numerous brush fires, many of them started by discarded cigarettes.
The Township Fire Department has announced that, despite the recent rain, there will still be zero tolerance for any outdoor burning.
Anyone caught violating the ban will face fines of $200 or more.
Under normal conditions, outdoor burning is allowed between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31 for backyard brush.
The fire department will be monitoring the weather, and as conditions change and water supplies improve, they may announce a return to backyard burning, with permits.
The Township’s website at tol.ca and Facebook page will have news about burning permits when restrictions are eased.
