Posted by Laísa Condé | Jul 31, 2025 | News, Municipal Government

Mayor Mike Goetz says Merritt is stepping up as a leader in water conservation, following a recent visit from B.C.’s new Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill.

Neill visited the Nicola Valley earlier this month on what the mayor described as a “fact-finding mission.”

Goetz said he and other officials first joined her at Nicola Lake for a watershed governance ceremony, before returning to Merritt to discuss the city’s water management strategies and long-term drought response.

“She’s new to the role, and she’s out there listening, trying to understand what communities are dealing with,” Goetz said. “She was impressed that we’ve voluntarily moved into a constant Level 3 water restriction.”

While much of the province waited for provincial direction to trigger higher water restrictions during last year’s extreme drought, Merritt chose to implement Level 3 protocols early and stuck with them all year.

According to Goetz, this proactive stance helped the city avoid slipping into Level 4 or Level 5, which are the most severe restriction level.

“We found that staying at Level 3 the whole year helped us save water. And it worked, while most of the province moved to Level 4, we didn’t have to,” he said.

Fixing infrastructure and planning ahead

The mayor also raised the issue of a deep well near Kengard that could help bolster Merritt’s water supply, but remains offline due to high levels of manganese. A treatment system estimated at $3.5 million would be required to make the water usable.

“We asked the minister to look at ways to help us fund a small processing plant so we can bring that well online,” said Goetz. “It’s a 500-foot well, and we’re the only ones drawing from it. It’s an untapped resource.”

Another significant step the city is taking is the installation of water meters across the community. Goetz, a former critic of water meters, now sees them as vital tools in identifying leaks and improving efficiency.

“For the first few years, it’ll just be data collection,” he explained. “We’ve been listed as one of the biggest water losers for a city our size for 15 years. We want to find out where we’re losing it and fix that.”

The meters were funded through a federal grant received two years ago and are being installed at no cost to residents.

Collaborating with First Nations and farmers

Water conservation is not just a municipal issue, it involves regional cooperation. Goetz said the City of Merritt continues to collaborate with the Nicola Watershed Governance Partnership, which includes First Nations, TNRD directors, and the province.

“Every time a new business or project comes in, the first question people ask is: ‘Do we have enough water?’” he said. “We need to show that we’re managing this resource seriously.”

As agricultural operations often face public criticism during drought, Goetz is seeking clarity on farmers’ water licenses to ensure fair public understanding.

“They’re under different licenses than we are,” he said. “We’re meeting with some of the agricultural folks to get factual information, not just what comes through social media.”

Responding to algae blooms and future storage

Goetz and Minister Neill also discussed the worsening algae bloom in Nicola Lake. While the lake itself is outside Merritt’s jurisdiction, its health directly affects the Nicola River and the community’s long-standing recreational use of Monck Park.

“This bloom is worse than anything I’ve seen since I moved here in 1977,” Goetz said. “We need better monitoring and early warnings from the province. The alarm wasn’t really raised until after an animal died.”

City officials are also considering water storage strategies to improve long-term drought resilience. Goetz acknowledged the complexity of balancing environmental protection—such as fish habitat—with storage needs.

“We talked about things like putting water back into the ground or using fallow fields for water storage,” he said. “We know we can’t put in dams, but we need creative solutions.”

Conservation-focused growth

As Merritt continues to grow, Goetz said the city is prioritizing developments with low water usage.

For example, the incoming Bell AI Centre will rely on a closed-loop water cooling system, and other upcoming businesses, such as Mako Furniture factory, are also expected to have minimal water demands.

“Light industrial is easier on our water resources,” he said. “That’s what we’re looking for, businesses that can thrive here without putting more pressure on the aquifer.”

The city has also started adapting its own landscaping by using drought-resistant and native plants. Merritt now grows many of its municipal flowers in a city-owned greenhouse, with plans to expand that program in the coming years.

Changing attitudes, one resident at a time

Goetz said attitudes toward water have shifted dramatically in the 18 years he’s been in local government.

“When I came onto council in 2008, nobody talked about water,” he said. “Now it’s almost the number one topic. People here are passionate about it, and they’re paying attention.”

He urged residents to follow the city’s watering rules, which allow for twice-a-week watering and unlimited hand watering, and to avoid tactics like running drip hoses outside designated days.

“It’s not about depriving anyone,” Goetz said. “It’s about using water wisely so we can all continue living here. Without water, we don’t have a community.”

Goetz said he expects to continue discussions with Minister Neill at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities convention in September. In the meantime, the city will keep moving forward with conservation strategies and regional partnerships.

“Be mindful,” he said. “If we all do our part, we can shed that old label and show the rest of the province how a small city can lead on water.”