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)

Note: The 2018 Grade 5 School Tours are fully booked.

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. This tour explores Sooke Lake and Goldstream Lake reservoirs, the surrounding forest, water disinfection facility and the treatment process that ensures the water delivered to your tap is clean and safe to drink.

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

Getting There

The school bus will pick you up from your school at the designated time and will return you in time for dismissal. That’s right - you don’t need to book a bus. The bus and driver are part of the program and will be with us for the day.

Booking Information

These School Tours are limited, so please complete the tour request form and send it by email to the address on the form or call 250.474.9627 for more information.

Other Age Groups

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate lower grades on a tour at this time.

School Program

Enhance their learning!

To get the most out of the field trip, 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. 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.