Have you ever wondered where your tap water comes from? Have you pondered the route it takes to get to your sink? These questions spurred my latest backyard adventure, following the water that comes out of my tap as far as I could on my bicycle. On lək̓ʷəŋən territories in the City of Victoria, our water comes from the Sooke Lake Reservoir which lies within the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park.

Greater Victoria Water Supply System Map

It’s not possible to bike all the way to the Sooke Reservoir because the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area, which surrounds it, is not open to the public. Instead, I rode my bike to the Humpback Reservoir, which lies at the entrance to the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area, and which used to be a part of the water supply system. This also happens to be where the main water line that feeds my tap branches off. I tried to follow the route of the water line as closely as I could. Conveniently, the route that this main water line takes happens to be close to the Galloping Goose Trail, so I was able to stay on a separated paved bike path most of the ride. Along the way, I took photos of the route and some of the infrastructure that transports our tap water.

Tap Water from Sink to Source: A Photo Essay

The water coming out of my tap at home.
My bicycle getting ready to go!
A piece of the Sooke Flowline that used to bring water into Victoria from Sooke Lake and some of the history of the city’s water system just on the north side of the Selkirk Trestle.
Biking along the Galloping Goose Trail.
Oh look, a pipe! This is one of the main pipes carrying water into the city beside the old Sooke Flowline. The pipes are often underground, but are exposed here as the run over Millstream Creek.
One of the pump stations I came across along the way next to a lovely marsh area.
Me holding my water bottle, filled with tap water which has now made the same journey from source to sink, twice.
The Humpback Reservoir right next to the Sooke Hills Wilderness parking lot. This reservoir used to be part of the water supply system and sits right where the main line that brings water to my house branches off.
Some of the informational signs at the Humpback Reservoir and the entrance to the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area.
Some cool concrete art I noticed on my way home. It says “We are all part of the water cycle” on the way down the stairs and on the way back up the other side, “Water is the blood of the Earth”