Each tour will leave from the CRD Field Office on a school bus that will be guided to various stops within our protected watersheds to let you discover these special places first hand. All tours require advanced reservations.

Note: Long tours are offered during the first week of May, and on Saturdays from June 2-23. Short tours are offered on Fridays from June 8-22.

Tour 1: Source to Tap (5.5 hours)
Follows the flow of water starting at the north end of Sooke Lake Reservoir. This tour explores the surrounding forests, Rithet Creek (main tributary to Sooke Lake Reservoir), water supply facilities and the treatment process that ensures the water delivered to your tap is optimal. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Please note the Japan Gulch Disinfection Facility is testing new processes and equipment so the tours may not be able to visit this year.

Time: 9:15am to approximately 3pm

Location: Meet at the CRD Field Office parking lot – 2955 Sooke Lake Road (near Goldstream Park campground). Directional signs will be posted.

Note: For those registered for the Saturday June tours, there is an optional pick up at the Integrated Water Services Office (479 Island Highway) leaving at 9am to pick up more passengers at the Field Office parking lot by 9:15am. At the end of the tour the bus will drop passengers off at both locations.

Tour 2: Behind the Red Gate (3 hours)

Ever wondered what’s behind the red gate? This is your chance to discover the protected watersheds and water supply facilities. This tour focuses on visits to the surrounding forests, Sooke Lake and Goldstream Lake reservoirs. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Please note the Japan Gulch Disinfection Facility is testing new processes and equipment so the tours may not be able to visit this year.

Times: 9:15am to 12:15pm; 1:15pm to 4:15pm

Location: Meet at the CRD Field Office parking lot – 2955 Sooke Lake Road (near Goldstream Park campground)

School Tour Details (Grade 5)

Educators of grade 5 students and your class are invited to a free full day tour that offers a first-hand look at how water gets from the source to your tap. The tour explores Sooke Lake reservoir, the surrounding forest and the water disinfection process that ensures the water delivered to your tap is clean and safe to drink. All you need to do is select the day and desired pick up and drop off times. We suggest pick up at the school between 8:30 - 9:00 and drop off back at school at approximately 2:30 (depending on the school location and dismissal time). The bus and driver are part of the program and will be with us for the day. 

Requirements
We require a minimum of 20 students, the responsible teacher and a minimum of 1 additional adult to chaperone the tour. The school bus has a maximum of 42 seats available.  

Booking Information
Tours are limited. Please email the completed tour request form. We will email you to confirm your tour and provide additional tour information. We can accommodate a Grade 4/5 split, but we regret that we can’t substitute other school grades at this time. Please call 250.474.9627 for more information. 

School Program

Enhance their learning! To get the most out of the tour, we recommend you explore drinking water related topics in the classroom using appropriate information from a complimentary educator’s kit. Our Grade 2 “Every Drop Counts” and our Grade 8 – 12 “Water in Our Community” educator’s kits include lesson plans, videos, maps, classroom water monitoring kits, and much more that could be adapted for Grade 5. Read more >>

The CRD is proud to support advanced learning opportunities. Come discover the many professional, technical and specially trained staff involved in providing drinking water to over 350,000 residents. Please email for more information.