Water Meter Install + Upgrade Program
APRIL 2025
The City of Merritt is implementing a grant-funded water meter program, as authorized by the Province of BC. Water meters are proven to promote water conservation, help make utility bills more equitable, and help identify and address leaks in the system.
These water meters are FREE OF CHARGE to homeowners. There is also no charge for this basic installation. The City is responsible for maintaining these systems.
This is a mandatory program in accordance with Waterworks Bylaw No. 2392.
CONTRACTED SERVICES
The City has contracted Neptune Technology to install or upgrade the water meter at every residential property in the municipality. Commercial properties already require meters that may be upgraded to communicate with the new system.
THE INSTALLATION PROCESS
The residential water meter install and upgrade procedure requires 30-90 minutes to complete, during which time the water will be shut off for a brief period.
Installations will be carried out on an area-by-area basis. When technicians commence work in your area, you will receive a notice containing information on how to book your appointment. If you are a tenant, please contact the building owner when you receive this information. Please do not contact Neptune until you receive the notice with your booking reference number.
QUICK AND CONVENIENT
Appointments can be made to fit your schedule. These upgrades will allow the Utility to read the water meter from outside of your house and eliminate the need for the meter reader to gain access to your property to read the meter.
PRIOR TO THE INSTALLATION
Please ensure the area around the existing water meter or shut-off valve is clear and accessible and leave ample room for the technician to work. Your existing shut-off valve should be located where the water service comes into your house. Check your main water shut-off valve to make sure it is operable.
We look forward to your support and co-operation to make this program a success.
Why is the City of Merritt Installing Water Meters?
Water meters are part of a broader initiative focused on water sustainability in the City of Merritt. Following the direction of the Province of British Columbia, the City is working to promote water conservation and support the long-term viability of our community. Water meters are just one element of a much larger conversation.
WATER SOURCE
The City of Merritt draws water from three aquifers, which currently provide ample supply for many years to come. Most of the City’s water is drawn from shallow aquifers replenished by the losing-reach Coldwater River. However, during the summer months, Merritt, like much of the province, experiences low groundwater levels, which further threaten fish habitats in the Coldwater River. The City aims to increase its use of the deeper aquifer by working towards developing a treatment facility at the Kengard Well.
WATER USE
Merritt water users consume 742 litres/person/day. That’s nearly 3.5 times larger than the national household average (223 litres/person/day (401 litres all sectors) (2021)), according to Statistics Canada. That is also significantly higher than the provincial average (286 litres/person/day residential (or 465 litres in all sectors).
The reasons for Merritt’s high water usage are unclear, but could include water loss through leaks in aging infrastructure, landscaping demands unsuited to a semi-arid climate, and possible misuse or overuse.
WATER LICENCE AND FUTURE GROWTH
The City currently uses about 75% of its water licence. This leaves enough capacity to support new industrial and residential developments, helping to reduce the tax burden on homeowners by attracting investment and expanding the tax base.
WATER COST
Water is not free. It costs money to build, maintain, and operate the infrastructure needed to treat and deliver water to every property. Currently, all property owners pay the same flat rate for water on their utility bills, regardless of how much water they use. Although no changes to the billing structure have been approved by Council, water meters can provide the data needed to explore a more equitable system where light users no longer subsidize heavy users. At present, water meters will allow property owners to monitor their own usage and detect issues such as leaking irrigation systems. The City will also use this data to identify inefficiencies or leaks in the municipal water system.
WATER FUNDING
The Province of BC offers grant funding to help municipalities invest in essential infrastructure. In 2023, the Province awarded the City of Merritt $3 million toward a $3.5 million project to implement water meters. While the Province is covering the majority of the cost, the City must contribute a portion to qualify for the grant. To meet this requirement, the City aims to save funds each year to build a reserve that can be used for future water system upgrades.
WATERING RESTRICTIONS
While most BC communities implement seasonal watering restrictions during the dry summer months, the City of Merritt has taken a different approach. Merritt has implemented year-round Level 3 watering restrictions, which allow residents to water lawns twice per week. This approach has proven effective, allowing the City to maintain a reliable water supply without resorting to more severe restrictions like those imposed in some neighbouring communities.
PUMP STATION WELL IMPROVEMENT: KENGARD
The City is working toward installing a water treatment facility at the Kengard Well, which accesses the deep aquifer. Currently, only 2% of this well’s capacity is being used due to high levels of manganese. While manganese is a naturally occurring mineral that is beneficial in small amounts, it must be filtered out when present in high concentrations. Thanks to a provincial grant received in fall 2024, the City is undertaking Phase 1 of this improvement project. This phase includes engineering, environmental and archaeological assessments, preliminary planning and design, community engagement, and preparation for detailed design and tendering.
WATER SUSTAINABILITY
To protect Merritt’s future, the City must take steps to ensure long-term water sustainability. Managing our water supply is essential to the resilience and health of the community. To do this effectively, the City needs accurate data, and water meters are the best way to obtain it. Meters will be installed at no cost to property owners. This information will help the City understand how water is used, or wasted, within the community. It will also help educate residents about their own consumption habits and encourage more efficient use of water resources.
WORKING TOGETHER
Together, we can take meaningful steps toward securing Merritt’s water future. By learning how we use and conserve water, we can ensure a sustainable and thriving community for generations to come.
FUNDING FROM PROVINCE OF BC | WATER METERS
City to launch universal Water Meter program
FEBRUARY 2025
Merritt residents and businesses currently consume water at a rate well above national average. This may be due in part to water being lost in aging watermains.
Thanks to funding from the Province of BC, the City of Merritt is now initiating a universal water metering program. A standard water meter will be installed in every household FREE OF CHARGE to homeowners. It is expected that with accurate information about water usage, the City will be able to identify infrastructure deficiencies and see a decrease in water usage.
Reference the City of Merritt Waterworks Bylaw #2392, 2025 (adopted February 25, 2025): “A Water Meter shall be installed for each category on every parcel that receives water service from the City as per the Fees and Charges Bylaw. The City may refuse or Discontinue to supply water to any premises…”
Merritt Received $3 Million for Water Meter Program
JUNE 2023
BC’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs has authorized a $3,000,000 grant for the implementation of a universal water metering program for the City of Merritt. Many municipalities implement residential, industrial, commercial and institutional water metering as a method to encourage water conservation. While the City currently has water metering in place for organizations and multi-unit complexes within the community, it has not been able to raise the funds to implement residential water metering for the larger residential community.
With climate change, there is greater global awareness of the need to implement water conservation policies. Fresh water is a precious limited global resource that is declining. In Merritt in particular, the Coldwater River is a “losing reach” or “sinking river,” where incoming water fills our aquifers, effectively draining water from vital fish habitats. To protect and conserve our water sources, communities must seek methods to reduce waste, such as through public information campaigns, dry weather watering restrictions, and water metering programs.
While the City of Merritt’s Water Conservation Policy led to a 43% decline in average water consumption per person from 2006 to 2019, the City’s consumption (742 litres/person/day) was still significantly higher than the provincial average (286 litres/person/day residential (465 litres all sectors) and nearly 3.5 times the national household average (223 litres/person/day (401 litres all sectors) (2021)).
While City water seems to be “free”, it is not free. The cost of water is billed to each property owner on their taxes. Water metering is more equitable as those residents that conserve their water usage would likely experience a reduction in taxes, while those that use large amounts will be billed appropriately for their consumption. The purpose of water metering is largely to help residents become mindful of their water usage and to practice water conservation efforts. Statistics show that when a water metering system is implemented, communities reduce their consumption by up to 39%.
With this additional water conservation tactic, the City should be able to avoid the need for costly capital improvements, such as adding new wells, and avoid any negative impact on taxation.
And since this $3,526,814 project is funded largely by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, with the remaining $500K+ from the City’s water reserve fund, residents will not see any additional costs for this improvement.
“The City of Merritt is grateful to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for their continued support in helping to improve the City’s services and to implement good water conservation practices,” says Mayor Michael Goetz. “This funding is an important first step towards protecting our future water resources.”
This project helps the City meet Provincial and First Nations regulations and expectations in relation to drought management. Additionally, this project will enable the City to better position itself for future development without adding significant extra costs for water infrastructure. The City anticipates that this will be a 3-4 year project, with planning and public consultation commencing this year.
SEE WATER METERING PLAN: BUSINESS CASE (2022) | IMPLEMENTATION REPORT (2008)
This project is funded through the provincial Critical Community Infrastructure Fund which supports clean drinking water, wastewater and solid waste treatment and greenhouse gas reduction through public infrastructure projects in communities provincewide. This is in addition to the $1-billion Growing Communities Fund which was provided to all 188 B.C. municipalities and regional districts to support their unique infrastructure and amenities needs.
Water Conservation Study + Policy
In 2021, the City updated its Water Conservation Policy which sets out a long-term plan for future water conservation efforts within the City of Merritt. The Outdoor Watering Conservation policy is a part of the overall strategy to reduce peak water demands during the summer months and authorizes staff to adjust watering restrictions in accordance with the BC Drought Response Plan. ALSO SEE WATER CONSERVATION STUDY.
Community Water System
Merritt’s aquifer has a fairly sizable, safe and consistent supply of potable water that should be able to support current and future growth without adding more than it’s current 5 wells or 3 reservoirs. However, during the dry hot summer months, when water demand is at its peak, incoming water from the Coldwater river naturally drains into the City’s aquifers, lowering river levels and stressing fish habitats. With climate change, there is a risk of greater variability in the supply and demand on the water system. It is the responsibility of every resident to practice water conservation methods. READ THE COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM REPORT and WATER UTILITY MASTER PLAN.
