City of Kelowna sends experts to help Merritt

• Merritt wastewater and water plants need expert fix
• Kelowna team working 12-hour days to help out
• Infrastructure requires a safe, methodical series of steps to restart

We’ve heard a lot in recent days about neighbours stepping up to help flood-ravaged cities in Southern B.C.

Now, the City of Kelowna is lending expertise to help Merritt get critical infrastructure up and running, which will enable a return of the thousands who were evacuated after being inundated by record rainfall.

In a media release, the City of Kelowna said it sent a team of eight staff Saturday morning who are working very long hours to help get things fixed.

The experienced water and wastewater operators from Kelowna will lend a helping hand and share their expertise in Merritt for five days to help get overwhelmed municipal services operating after the devastating flood knocked-out the city’s facilities and forced the evacuation of more than 7,000 residents.

“We received the request for support late last week,” said Utility Services Manager Kevin Van Vliet. “The Merritt team is small and mighty, but their systems are overwhelmed and they’re dealing with their own personal losses.”

“As water and wastewater operators, we understand the challenge ahead and we have the expertise and ability to move around our activities to free up a team to support them,” said Wastewater Manager Mike Gosselin. “It’s a full-team effort – whether you’re one of those on the ground in Merritt or taking on extra duties here in Kelowna while this team is away.”

Since Saturday, the team in Merritt has worked 12 hours a day to bring two critical systems back online.

Merritt’s wastewater system, including their primary treatment facility, was flooded, which brought rocks and silt into the system. It needs to be emptied, cleaned and re-seeded with active biologicals to make the system operate effectively.

The water system in Merritt requires similar efforts. It must be fully flushed and disinfected, checked for leaks and damage repaired before clean water can run again.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has also sent a small team to provide relief to the Merritt EOC. It includes experienced staff from City of Kelowna, West Kelowna and Regional District of the Central Okanagan.

“Here in Kelowna, we understand what it’s like to face large natural disasters for long, extended periods of time. It takes many people – talented and dedicated people – to step in and help out,” said Van Vliet. “As water and Wastewater operators, we have always supported each other with collaborative training, tours and learning opportunities, so we’re also pleased to be able to support other communities in challenging times too.”

The crew from Kelowna Wastewater Operations is: Mike Humes, Amanda Shuffels, Robbie Liboiron and Dennis Dexel.

The team sent from Kelowna Water Operations is: Chris Roth, Jesse Melrose, Derek Enns and TJ Hall.