Public Notice

Effective Monday, July 10, 2023

Stage 3 Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1093 prohibits all outdoor use of water. For clarity, any outdoor showers, taps and faucets must be turned off.

Tofino is currently experiencing a significantly drier and hotter start to summer. Recently, Vancouver Island was amongst 17 BC regions categorized at Drought Level 4 by the BC Government. The District of Tofino is requesting all visitors and residents to conserve water in an effort to delay further restrictions.

• Average June Tofino rainfall is ~99mm, this year we received only ~11mm.
• Since May 1, Tofino has received ~19mm of rain total. On average, cumulative rainfall for this period is ~249mm.
• Despite Highway 4 closures in June that significantly decreased visitor traffic, water consumption only decreased by 4.2% compared to June 2022.

District Staff are meeting with major water users weekly to encourage education and awareness, and Bylaw staff are educating users about water conservation regulations.

Maltby and Tonquin washrooms will remain open and all other washrooms will be closed and portable washrooms will be installed.

District Staff are planning a public Water Town Hall for the week of July 17, open to all members of the community. A public notice and invitation will be published shortly.

Tofino’s tap water is collected with gratitude from the rainforests protected by Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks in the Haahuulthii of the Tla-o-qui-aht Ha'wiih.⁠

Stage 3 Water Conservation includes but is not limited to the following prohibitions: 

• No boat rinsing or washing
• No bicycle rinsing or washing
• No car rinsing or washing
• No landscape, garden, lawn or food plant watering
• No outdoor pressure washing
• No window washing
• No hot tub or pool top ups or fill ups
• No outdoor showering
• No outdoor foot washing or rinsing

**Limited wetsuit rinsing is permitted for sanitation purposes. Use grey water to water food plants and landscaping.

Download Stage 3 Poster (PDF)

Click here to learn more about water conservation in Tofino

Visit the 20% Challenge webpage to review bi-monthly water usage data and ideas to conserve water by 20% compared to last year.