Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg officials advise that, to prevent an interruption of service before it happens, an additional 482 properties have been identified this afternoon as being at an increased risk of the City's portion of the water pipe freezing (from the water main to the shut-off valve, usually at the property line). City staff are working to contact property owners by telephone this evening, and notices will be hand delivered to the new list of at-risk property owners tomorrow.
To prevent the water pipe from freezing and interrupting water service, citizens who receive a call tonight and a notice tomorrow are being asked to start leaving one cold water tap running at a trickle (about the amount of a drinking straw) all the time. Those water pipes at risk of freezing will remain vulnerable over the next few months, as it will be at least May or June before the frost is out of the ground.
If property owners do not receive a notice from the City of Winnipeg, it is important that they do not leave their water running due to operational risks that such an action could have on our water and sewer systems (e.g., sewer backup, basement flooding, sewage treatment plant upset).
A total of 5,447 properties have now been identified as being at risk.
To better accommodate new cases of frozen water pipes during the coming weeks, the City has implemented a streamlined process for assisting property owners. When citizens with frozen water pipes call 311, Customer Service Representatives will ask callers about their potable water needs, provide locations of complimentary showers, and advise citizens regarding how to receive a temporary hose installed from an adjacent property.