Winnipeg, MB - The impact of frost depth on water pipes represents a typical winter so far - the number of frozen water pipes is within the seasonal range. On average, City crews are able to respond to properties that report no water, determine the section of the pipe that has frozen, and provide thawing service, all within 24 hours.
From November 21, 2014, to January 16, 2015, there have been:
- nine frozen underground pipes on a residential property owner’s private water service pipe, and
- three frozen underground water pipes on City property, all of which were frozen due to factors other than frost depth (e.g., recent excavations for water main repairs).
Historical comparison
| Sept 1 - Jan 16 | Frozen Underground Private Pipes | Frozen Underground City Pipe |
| 2012-13 | 10 | 1 |
| 2013-14 * | 67 | 3 |
| 2014-15 | 9 | 3 |
* In the winter of 2013-14, Winnipeg experienced a sudden and dramatic increase in frozen water pipes due to prolonged periods of frigid temperatures and deeper-than-usual frost penetration. It was Winnipeg’s coldest winter since 1898 and the frost depth was at an average of about eight to nine feet below pavement surfaces.
City monitoring conditions
The City is vigilantly monitoring a number of conditions that contribute to frozen underground water pipes, such as frost depth and weather patterns. Based on all available information to date, the average frost penetration is estimated at less than 1.5 metres (4.9 feet).
It is important to note that frost depth is highly variable across the city, often differing from street to street. Some of the factors known to affect frost penetration are snow depth and density, ground cover (e.g., vegetation, concrete), atmospheric pressure, exposure to sunshine, initial soil temperature, moisture content of the soil, soil type, weather, and organic matter contained in the soil.
The cause of a frozen underground water service pipe varies and depends on a number of factors, such as:
- soil shrinkage,
- depth of pipe,
- degree of insulation along the length of the pipe,
- locations where the soil hasn’t fully settled (e.g., new construction, recent excavations), and
- proximity to adjacent infrastructure that contributes to deeper than usual frost penetration (e.g., catch basins).
The City will advise property owners directly if and when it becomes necessary to leave a tap running to prevent a frozen water pipe. Residents choosing to run water as a preventative measure without receiving direction from the City would be billed for the full amount of the water and sewer charges.
A summary report on the impact of cold weather on water infrastructure is on the City’s website at City of Winnipeg - Cold Weather Impact on Water Pipes. The report, updated weekly until further notice, includes average frost depth, number of reports of frozen underground pipes and frozen internal plumbing, and the City’s average thawing response time, which continues to be same day service.