Greater Victoria's Water Supply

At the Capital Regional District (CRD), we understand how important clean and safe drinking water is for our community.

The Regional Water Supply Service proudly provides drinking water to Greater Victoria, serving approximately 430,000 residents across the region through municipal or CRD water distribution systems.

By adhering to strict standards and best practices, we ensure that the water supplied from the source to your tap is safe and reliable. We value this important resource and are committed to protecting it for future generations.

About the Regional Water Supply Service

The Regional Water Supply Service was established as a CRD service in 1997 and is administered by the Regional Water Supply Commission, which is made up of elected representatives from the member municipalities in the region.

• Greater Victoria Water Supply System Map [PDF/857KB]
• Video: Greater Victoria Water Supply System: An Overview
• Regional Water Supply Strategic Plan [link]
• Regional Water Supply Master Plan

The Regional Water Supply service provides bulk water to the municipalities listed below and the CRD, who operate water distribution systems that deliver water directly to customers across Greater Victoria.

• District of Central Saanich
• District of North Saanich
• District of Oak Bay
• District of Saanich
• Town of Sidney
• City of Victoria/Township of Esquimalt
• CRD Juan de Fuca Water System (Serving the communities of: View Royal, Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, Sooke, parts of Highlands and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area East Sooke)

Note: The following First Nations are also serviced by the Regional Water Supply:

• Songhees First Nation 
• Xwsepsum First Nation (Esquimalt First Nation)
•  T'Souke First Nation (Sooke First Nation)
• SC’IȺNEW Nation (Beecher Bay First Nation)

Water Source

The main source of drinking water for the Regional Water Supply Service is the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area, which consists of three water supply areas (Sooke, Goldstream and Leech).

Sooke Water Supply Area provides our primary source of drinking water from the Sooke Lake Reservoir and the Goldstream Water Supply Area is our secondary operational and emergency source of drinking water. 

The Leech Water Supply Area is our future water supply which is currently being developed to meet the region's growing population and water demands. Together these water supply areas total 20,560 hectares.

How We Protect Your Water

We use a multiple barrier approach to protect water quality within the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area. This means we professionally design systems to protect water at the source, we carefully manage water treatment and distribution, and we closely monitor water quality.

Did you know that we perform over 58,000 water quality tests a year to ensure we provide the best quality drinking water to you? We also share information about the importance of water conservation to help protect our water supply.

Protecting your water

Treatment & Transmission

Access to the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area

Access to the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area is restricted to prevent introduction of invasive species or contaminants that may impact the watershed's ecosystem and water quality. The public can attend watershed tours each year to learn more about where their water comes from and how watershed protection is a key component in our efforts to protect the drinking water supply.

Under certain circumstances, the public may be granted access to the Leech Water Supply Area. To learn more about accessing the Leech Water Supply Area, please refer to the Water Supply Area Bylaw, information sheet and complete the mandatory application form (see related links at bottom of the page).

Water Distribution Systems

The CRD is directly responsible for managing the operation and distribution of the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Service, including water rates and billing, for the following municipalities and local First Nations:

• View Royal
• Colwood
• Langford
• Metchosin
• Highlands
• Sooke
• East Sooke
• Songhees First Nation
• SC’IȺNEW Nation (Beecher Bay First Nation)
• Xwsepsum (Esquimalt First Nation)
• T'Souke First Nation (Sooke First Nation)

Municipal Water Distribution Systems

The CRD provides wholesale water to the following municipalities, who are then responsible for managing the operation and distribution of their systems, including water rates and billing. If you live in one of the municipalities listed below and have a question or concern about your water system or water bill, please reach out to your municipality directly.

• Central Saanich 
  Phone: 250.544.4224 ext.221
• North Saanich 
  Phone: 250.655.5480
• Saanich 
  Phone: 250.475.5599
• Oak Bay 
  Phone: 250.598.4501
• Sidney 
  Phone: 250.656.1034
• Victoria/Esquimalt 
  Phone: 250.361.0400