Commencing Monday August 24, 2020, the City of Merritt residents will be limited to watering a maximum of 1 day of watering per week.

A press release from the city says that the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has told staff that in spite of recent rain, drought has plagued the Nicola Valley this summer.

The Nicola Basin and the Coldwater Basin are currently at Drought Level 3 (Very Dry), and are expected to worsen in the coming future. The release added that water restrictions will be needed to protect the local fish population.

Those with even number addresses will be able to water on Fridays, while those with odd number addresses will be able to water on Tuesdays.

“We had an incredibly wet June, so we thought we may avoid drought this year, but there has been very little precipitation in July and August, which puts pressure on the Coldwater river in particular,” said Mayor Linda Brown.

“We recognize that scaling back watering can be frustrating and inconvenient, but we want residents to know that their effort makes a difference,” said Chief Administrative Officer, Sean Smith. “This isn’t a question of not having sufficient water; our aquifer levels are high and there is plenty of water to support the current rate of use.  However, the Coldwater River is connected to the aquifer from which we draw most of our water, so as we collectively reduce our water consumption and slow the rate of draw, we support a higher water level in the Coldwater River.”

Other measures include:

  • Shutting down all City Park irrigation, excluding the Rotary Spray Park
  • Postponing the City Street Sweeping Program until October 1, 2020
  • Not washing City pickups and equipment except for Residential & Commercial Garbage Trucks
  • Increasing the use of the Kengard well to avoid overdrawing from the Coldwater river
  • Minimizing the use of the Voght Park well pumps and utilizing the Fairley Park and Collettville pumps as primaries.
  • Hand watering will continue for City hanging baskets.