Water

The District of Ucluelet operates two water supply sources, the Lost Shoe Aquifer and Mercantile Creek. These water source provide drinking water for the citizens of Ucluelet, portions of the ACRD, and the Ucluelet First Nation.

The Lost Shoe Creek Aquifer supply currently consists of four wells which produce approximately 9,450 m³/day. Drier summer weather patterns potentially limit this supply, as the aquifer is drawn down to the level of the deepest well.

Active water licenses also allow the District to draw up to 3,239 m³/day from Mercantile Creek; of this approximately 500 m³/day is allocated to the Ucluelet First Nations.

More details about are available in the Water System Facts Sheet

The protection of the District’s drinking water is crucial to preventing the spread of water-borne disease and protecting citizens and visitors from chemical or other contamination.

The Engineering and Public Works Department complete weekly testing for E.coli and quarterly full-spectrum tests – all tests are reviewed by Island Health.

Island Health officers approve, inspect, and monitor drinking water supplies to ensure they comply with regulatory requirements.

Water System News & Notifications

• 2021: On August 12, the governments of Canada and British Columbia announced funding of over $7 million for the District of Ucluelet to improve its local treatment system and storage capacity for drinking water.
• 2021: At the November 9, Council meeting, the Engineering and Public Works Department presented a plan to overhaul the District’s water distribution system operations and maintenance routine: Ucluelet’s Clean Drinking Water Action Plan
• 2022: On June 14, 2022, District of Ucluelet Council approved the Proposed Water Treatment Upgrade next steps.

In 2022, the District had a Water Demand Evaluation report prepared to re-evaluate the projected water demand for the District over a 30-year horizon.

In 2020, the District had a Water Treatment Feasability Study conducted for treatment upgrades to both Mercantile Creek surface water source and Lost Shoe Creek Aquifer groundwater source.

In 2017, the District updated its Water Master Plan, which provides critical information for implementing upgrades to the system.
A high-level drawing of the District’s drinking water system is available in the Official Community Plan

Ways of Conserving Water in Your Home

• Set a goal to use less water.
• Fix leaking faucets and toilets.
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and clothes washer.
• Minimize faucet use when brushing teeth, shaving, and washing dishes.
• Don’t pre-rinse dishes unless you need to. Most new dishwashers do not require pre-rinsing.
• Save water for watering plants e.g., while you wait for hot water in kitchens and showers.
• Install a water-efficient toilet or high-efficiency clothes washer.
• Install an efficient showerhead.
• Spend less time in the shower. Try to limit showers to under 5 minutes.
• Flush your toilets less often.

Ways You Can Conserve Water in Your Yard

• Aerate lawns in the spring to better absorb water.
• Avoid watering between 1OAM and 6PM to reduce evaporation.
• Reduce lawn watering or let your lawn go dormant during the summer.
• Mulch planting beds to decrease evaporation.
• Tune-up and improve your irrigation system.
• Do not wash your car unless absolutely necessary.
• Never leave a hose running, always use a shut off nozzle.
• Use a broom rather than a hose or pressure washer to clean sidewalks and driveways.
• Refrain from filling empty pools and hot tubs.
• Use a rain barrel to catch water and use this to water your garden.

Ways You Can Conserve Water at Work

• Check for and fix leaks in sinks, toilets, and urinals (or install water-efficient models).
• Increase employee awareness of water conservation with memos and newsletters, or signs in restrooms or areas that use water.
• Serve water only on request in restaurants.
• Hospitality businesses can make daily clean linen service optional.

The District of Ucluelet has a Water Shortage Response Plan to assist personnel to respond quickly and efficiently to a variety of scenarios to ensure water supplies are safeguarded, maintained, or returned to working conditions as quickly as possible. This plan uses a 4-staged approach to focus on water conservation during the summer months or other dry periods. Outlined below are the Water Use Conservation Actions required by residents, businesses, and visitors during the 4 stages that range from initial standard levels of water restrictions through to the highest levels of restriction intended for emergency water shortages.

Learn more about the District of Ucluelet’s Water Shortage Response Plan.

Public Works Yard Office: 250-726-7133
Cell: 250-266-0598
Email: info@ucluelet.ca

After-hours Emergencies
(4:30pm – 8am)
Call 250-726-8587
Emergencies could include water or sewer main breaks, dangerous debris or fallen trees on a street or damaging potholes.