NO CURRENT RESTRICTIONS
Drier and busier summers are impacting Tofino's water supply. Join this region's long history of stewardship by using less water. Tofino's tap water is collected with gratitude from the old-growth forests protected by the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Tribal Parks. The District of Tofino greatly appreciates your efforts to preserve our natural resources. Make every drop count!
Event: Water Conservation Information Session
May 9, 2024, 4 - 6 PM in the Tofino Council Chambers (in-person and online)
Join the District of Tofino for an information session detailing the new Water Conservation Bylaw stages. During the presentation, The Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tofino will also share their efforts regarding water conservation. Click here to attend.
Water Conservation Stages
When necessary, the District of Tofino will implement water conservation stages to decrease water usage, ensuring a sufficient supply for essential services like firefighting and maintaining adequate drinking water for the community.
Click below to find out what each water conservation stage means and what water uses are permitted & prohibited.
Residents are encouraged to download, print, & post the Water Conservation Stages Infographic in their homes.
During Stage 1, water conservation information and educational products must be placed in or publicly displayed in:
- All accommodation units and/or rooms
- All visitor-facing commercial businesses (restaurants, retail)
Restricted
- Watering lawns, gardens, trees, and landscaped areas is restricted to a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off mechanism, a hand-held canister, a sprinkler, or a drip irrigation system
*Note: Stage 1 water restrictions will no longer be automatically implemented between May 1 and October 1 each year. Instead, Stage 1 will take effect at the discretion of District staff based on considerations including daily water use, 14-day weather forecast, & visitor occupancy forecast.
Enforcement
The District of Tofino makes every attempt to encourage voluntary compliance. Those who contravene the Bylaw may be subject to warnings or fines. Please note that the new Bylaw includes higher fines for refusal to comply. The focus in the early stages will be on education, not enforcement. Please use kindness and compassion to spread the word.
To report infractions, contact Bylaw Services
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the new water conservation stages, please submit them via Talk Tofino.
Ways to Conserve: Visitors
As visitors to Tofino and guests of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Hawiih (Tla-o-qui-aht Chiefs), become a part of Tofino’s long history of stewardship by conserving water with some of the following water-wise tips.
Ways to Conserve: Businesses
Businesses have the unique opportunity to lead water conservation efforts, reducing environmental footprints and setting a great example for guests and the community. As a business, here are some water-wise tips to help conserve water.
During water restrictions, businesses are required to provide water conservation messaging to their guests. Consistent, urgent and visitor-friendly messaging has been developed to inspire action. Download and print this poster for your business or pick one up at the District Office for free.
Visit the Quick Links & Resources section at the bottom of this page for more helpful examples and resources businesses can utilize.
Ways to Conserve: Residents
Adopting easy-to-follow water conservation habits can significantly reduce water usage in your home, helping to conserve water and save money on your utility bills. Take the first step towards conserving water by checking out these water-wise tips.
Tofino's Water System
Tofino’s water is collected with gratitude from the rainforests protected by Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks in the Hahuulthii of the Tla-o-qui-aht Ha'wiih (chiefs). Five creeks on Meares Island supply Tofino's water, which operates as a flow-through system.
Water Master Plan & Water Conservation Plan
The District of Tofino released its Water Master Plan in March 2024. Designed in collaboration with McElhanney Ltd., the plan outlines a 20-year strategy to address Tofino’s water scarcity challenges.
The Water Master Plan identifies a deficit in Tofino's current raw water supply during the busy and dry months. A water deficit occurs when the community's Maximum Day Demand (MDD) exceeds the flow rate from the source creeks on Meares Island. Based on this deficit, the District is actively seeking to secure an alternative water source and additional treatment capacity by 2043.
Based on the recommendations from the Water Master Plan, feedback received during the 2023 summer drought, and community roundtables, the District of Tofino developed the Water Conservation Plan and new water conservation bylaws, which have been adopted by Council.
Contact
Compliance with the District of Tofino's Water Conservation Stage is crucial. Non-compliance contributes to increased strain on the District's water system.
To report infractions, please contact:
Bylaw Department
250-266-1674 (On Duty Mobile Phone)