Every day, we turn on our taps without thinking about where the water comes from, what effort it takes to get it to our homes and businesses, and how much of it we use. Our water is collected from rainfall, snowmelt, creeks and streams in the mountains of the region's watersheds, and flows to us through an enormous network of reservoirs, pumping stations and mains.

GVRD's role in water supply
The GVRD's role is to provide a reliable source of safe, high-quality drinking water to its member municipalities at a reasonable cost. This includes acquiring and maintaining the supply, treating it to ensure its quality and delivering it to the municipalities. In turn, they are responsible for conveying the water to residences and businesses in their areas.

Sources and supply
The GVRD uses a combination of watersheds, dams, reservoirs and water mains to provide water to municipalities. To maintain the quality and reliability of this supply, system improvements are constantly underway at the three watersheds - Coquitlam, Capilano, and Seymour - and throughout the rest of the network.

Quality and treatment
Drinking water is tested daily to ensure it meets Canadian drinking water guidelines.

Conservation
As the region's population grows, the infrastructure used to bring water to homes and businesses needs ongoing expansion. Conserving water can delay this expansion, save money and reduce environmental impacts over the long term. Residential measures include sprinkling regulations while business conservation initiatives such as a water use audit have been developed by the GVRD.

Current projects
In order to continually improve and protect the quality of drinking water, the GVRD regularly upgrades the existing distribution system.

Long-range planning
Long-range plans are vital to ensuring there's enough water available for the Lower Mainland now, and in the long term. Based on research and public consultation, the GVWD has developed the Drinking Water Management Plan. Expansion and upgrading of the system is carried out to meet needs on an ongoing basis.

Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve
Originally part of the GVRD's closed watershed lands, the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve is a working forest that is a popular Lower Mainland destination for outdoor activities such as cycling, fishing, hiking and in-line skating. Groups can take advantage of the educational programs offered as well as the facilities that can be booked for use. Research and maps of the area are also available and make up an important part of the long-term planning process.