(CFJC Today/File photo).

By Michael Reeve-Q101

Water Restrictions

High water use during heat wave leads to increased water restrictions in Merritt

Jun 30, 2021 | 8:55 AM

Effective immediately, the City of Merritt will increase watering restrictions, prohibiting the use of sprinkler systems more than two days a week.

Residents with even numbered households will be allowed to water on Monday and Friday, while residents with odd numbered houses will be allowed on Tuesday and Saturday.

Within this, automatic irrigation systems are allowed and encouraged between midnight and 4 a.m. Manual sprinklers are permitted between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., and between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Hand-watering with a controlled flow nozzle can be done at any time.

Director of Corporate Services Greg Lowis said:

We’ve never seen temperatures this high at this time of year. To go along with the record temperatures, we are also seeing extremely high levels of water use, as residents work to keep things green amidst this unprecedented heat wave. We ask that residents stick to the permitted watering hours and we encourage residents to focus on flowers, trees and vegetables, and to consider letting lawns go dormant.

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The City will also increase Bylaw patrols to support reduced watering and provide information regarding watering. Residents who are using sprinklers outside the permitted hours and refuse to turn them off when requested will be ticketed.

Watering will be reduced in City parks, though the Rotary Spray Park and the water fountains remain open to help Merritonians beat the heat.