These free tours will show Victorians where their drinking water comes from

Ever wonder how your drinking water is delivered from the source to your tap?

The Capital Regional District (CRD) wants to show you through a series of tours—for free!

Running from Thursdays to Sundays throughout May and June, the CRD is offering “Get to Know Your H2O Tours,” giving residents the opportunity to see how drinking water travels all the way from the watershed to your home.

You can register online here—but be quick, these tours can be popular!

During the tour, you’ll be guided through the natural landscapes, water supply reservoirs and water treatment process that provides Greater Victoria with high-quality tap water.

These five-and-a-half hour tours take participants on a guided bus excursion to various stops, starting at the north end of the Sooke Lake Reservoir to the surrounding forests and Rithet Creek, the reservoir’s main tributary.

Participants will also have the opportunity to explore Sooke Lake Dam and take a short forest walk to explore the ecosystems that support our water supply.

The tour will also visit the Goldstream Ultraviolet Treatment plant to learn about the water treatment process that provides Great Victoria with award-winning drinking water.

Here’s what you need to know about the Watershed Tours:

• Pre-registration is required—you can sign up here
• Tours are limited to 45 participants
• Tours are for ages 12 and up only
• Dress appropriately for outdoor activities—this means closed-toed shoes and layers as temperatures can change quickly inside the watershed.
• Remember to bring a lunch, water, sunscreen and bug spray, as these tours are long

Check out this Video on Greater Victoria’s Water Supply:

Accessibility Notes:

Wheelchair accessible tour dates will be marked as (Accessible Tour). If you require an accessible tour, please ensure you book on a tour date marked (Accessible Tour). There are some uneven and gravelly paths on the tour, so please ensure that your wheelchair or walker can handle these conditions. At any point on the tour if you do not feel comfortable navigating the terrain you can remain on the bus and join in at the next tour stop.

CRD Watershed Tours

• Where: 2955 Sooke Lake Road
• When: Thursdays to Sundays throughout May and June – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Register: Register online here