Tofino Out Of Water In The Middle Of A Rain Forest?

That is right – almost hard to believe. Here is story out of the August 29, 2006 edition of The Province.

Tofino grappling with extreme water shortage
Kim Westad, Times-Colonist

Published: Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Businesses in the tourism-reliant community of Tofino on Vancouver Island’s west coast may be shut down by Friday due to an extreme water shortage.

The mayor has asked that all lodging and food service businesses shut down by Friday until further notice to preserve dangerously low water levels.

Tofino’s 1,700 year-round residents depend on tourism and aquaculture, with everything from mom and pop snack stands to five-star hotels known worldwide affected by the potential shutdown. The tiny community swells to about 22,000 people during the tourist season.

Charles McDiarmid, the general manager of the Wickaninnish Inn, couldn’t put an estimate at the loss if his Relais and Chateaux hotel has to shut down for one of the busiest long weekends of the year, but said it would be “significant.”

Water for Tofino comes from nearby Meares Island.

As of Friday, no commercial business can consume water. Residents may still continue to use water, although certain areas have been put on a boil water advisory.

Tofino traditionally has water shortages each summer that lead to restrictions, but never to this level.
?Ǭ© Times-Colonist 2006