Public Notice

Effective September 1, 2023

 

The District of Tofino would like to recognize residents and local businesses on their water conservation efforts this summer. The community has once again shown its resiliency, strength and innovation when faced with challenges.

 

A historic and prolonged drought is having significant impacts on Tofino's water supply. This week, Tofino's reservoirs reached their lowest levels of 2023 due to substantially low creek flows on Meares Island in the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park. Typically Tofino receives ~424mm of rain from May to Sep 1, this year, we've received less than ~100mm. Tofino has received 75% less rainfall compared to an average summer.

 

Tofino is currently in Stage 3 conservation measures, and is making every effort to avoid escalating restrictions. All businesses, residents and visitors are urged to decrease consumption as officials consider further conservation measures. Stage 4 Restrictions would have a significant impact on businesses and potentially trigger a local state of emergency. It will take the entire community to save water to avoid Stage 4. Every drop counts.

 

The District of Tofino is calling on all sectors to further conserve water with the following sector specific recommendations: 

SHORT TERM RENTALS

• Post communication notices;
• Inform all guests of water restrictions prior to and upon check-in;
• Shut off access to outdoor showers or rinse stations;
• Remove any garden hoses or sprinklers;
• Remove any unnecessary linen such as bathrobes, extra dish towels, etc.
• Remove bath stoppers to discourage bathtub use;
• Encourage shorter, less frequent showers (less than 4 minutes);
• Encourage guests to bring their own bedding and towels;
• Close off guest access to laundry machines and dishwashers;
• Ensure a kitchen sink stopper is available and provide smaller sink tubs;
• Provide disposable/compostable dishware and cutlery;
• Provide bottled/boxed water to guests.

RESORTS

• Post communication notices in every room;
• Limit laundry service to guest change overs or urgent sanitation needs;
• Remove any unnecessary linen such as bathrobes;
• Close off guest access to laundry machines and dishwashers;
• Replace shared and public washrooms with port-a-loos;
• Minimize mopping schedule to health-related sanitation and prioritize spot cleaning;
• Inform all guests of water restrictions prior to and again upon check-in;
• Provide bottled/boxed water to guests;
• Provide dunk buckets to rinse equipment, docks, vehicles, or boats with salt water or greywater.

FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVICE PROVIDERS

• Minimize mopping schedule to health-related sanitation and prioritize spot cleaning;
• Consider installing port-a-loos
  • Washroom access for staff or urgent health needs;
• Consider suspending water use for cooling baths or thawing of frozen goods;
• Consider alternate preparation of potatoes without soaking;
• Increase use of eco-friendly take-away dishes, cutlery, and paper napkins;
• Consider further promoting canned or bottled beverages;
• Consider selling or providing bottled/boxed water only;
• Consider turning off ice machines – reduce use of ice or order in ice;
• Limit use of rinse rails.

TOUR/EXPERIENCE PROVIDER

• Replace public washrooms with port-a-loos;
• Provide bottled/boxed water only;
• Use dunk buckets to rinse equipment, docks, vehicles, or boats with salt water or greywater;
• Install saltwater pumps at fish cleaning stations for saltwater rinsing.

RETAIL AND OTHER

• Shared and public washrooms replaced by port-a-loos;
• Consider selling or providing bottled water only;
• Minimize mopping schedule to health-related sanitation and prioritize spot cleaning.

 RESIDENTS

• Check for any on-property leaks;
• Enjoy shorter showers, avoid bathtub use;
• Run only full loads of laundry and dishes;
• Use your kitchen stopper;
• Use a conservation mindset when using water at all times and capture excess water;
• Use kindness and compassion to spread the word.

Please follow these recommendations to ensure water reservoirs outlast the drought.

To report about the potential of wasting water call 250-725-3229
Learn more at Tofino.ca/water

Thank you for all you are doing to help conserve water during this year’s severe drought. Please let us know if you have any questions.

CONTACT
Keegan McColl
Manager of Legislative Services
District of Tofino
(T) 250 725 3229
(E) ac.onifot@snoitacinummoc