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Langley reminds residents how to dispose of summer items and drain pools safely
The Township of Langley is advising residents to keep plastic toys and propane tanks out of curbside recycling and to dechlorinate pool and hot-tub water before draining it onto lawns.
As summer ends, the Township of Langley is reminding homeowners to dispose of seasonal items responsibly and to take care when draining pools and hot tubs.
Worn-out beach toys, pool noodles, inflatable floaties and other plastic toys are not accepted in blue-box recycling and should go in a garbage cart. Residents unsure how to dispose of an item can use the Township’s What Goes Where tool.
Empty propane cylinders must never be placed in curbside recycling or garbage carts. Refillable propane tanks are accepted at the Langley Recycling and Waste Centre. Both refillable and disposable tanks can be dropped off free of charge year-round at approved recycling facilities, including the North Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre. Empty butane canisters are also accepted at the North Surrey facility.
Residents can contact the Recycling Council of BC at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253) for other propane-tank drop-off locations.
The Township said its stormwater drainage systems generally flow directly into local creeks and rivers. Pool and hot-tub water can contain chlorine and other chemicals harmful to fish and aquatic ecosystems. Improper discharge can also damage public infrastructure or affect neighbouring properties.
Before draining a pool or hot tub, residents should dechlorinate the water. Depending on pool size, water can be left standing for up to 10 days for sunlight to remove chlorine naturally, or residents can use dechlorination tablets from a local pool-supply store. The water should then be tested with chlorine test strips; if chlorine remains, the process should be repeated.
Water should be drained slowly onto a lawn over several hours or days, depending on the pool or hot tub’s size and the lawn’s ability to absorb it. If water begins leaving the property or the lawn becomes saturated, residents should stop draining until the water has soaked into the ground.
Pool or hot-tub water must not be discharged directly into storm drains, catch basins, roadside ditches, trails, roads, driveways or other hard surfaces. Residents who see water discharged directly into Township infrastructure, including roadside catch basins or park trails, can report it to Bylaw Enforcement. Questions about utilities or water quality can be directed to the Engineering Division at 604-532-7300.