Stage 1 Water Restrictions: Effective Monday, May 13, 2024
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!
Water Conservation Stages
Ensuring a sufficient supply for essential services like firefighting and maintaining adequate drinking water for the community is the goal for the following restrictions.
Click below to find out what each water conservation stage means and what water uses are permitted & prohibited.
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
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.
Water Conservation Information Session
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, the District of Tofino, with representatives from the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tofino, hosted an information session to outline details regarding Tofino's new water conservation stages.
Watch the recording below.
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.
Make Every Drop Count Video
By watching the video below, you can gain insight into Tofino's water system and the remarkable history of stewardship that has helped protect this precious resource. Additionally, you can learn some simple water conservation tips that can help make every drop count.
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)
Quick Links & Resources
Links
- Talk Tofino - Water Conservation
- Water Master Plan (2024)
- Water Conservation Plan (2024)
- Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1224
- Water Use and Conservation Amendment Bylaw 1224.01, 2024
- Municipal Ticket Information System Amendment Bylaw No. 1088.09, 2024
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.19, 2024
Resources
- Printable Poster: Make Every Drop Count
- Water Conservation Stages Infographic
- Water Conservation Resource Kit (PDF)
- Water Conservation Resource Kit (Zipped)
- Destination BC - Water Conservation Toolkit for Tourism Businesses (PDF)