Winnipeg, MB - Yesterday afternoon, City officials advised that, to prevent an interruption of service before it happens, an additional 482 properties were identified 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).
The City's focus has been on direct communication with those property owners. Telephone calls to these 482 properties have been completed. Notices were being delivered this afternoon through the coordinated efforts of City departments and agencies, such as the Winnipeg Parking Authority and Community Services (Community By-law Enforcement Services).
To prevent the water pipe from freezing and interrupting water service, citizens who received a call last night and a notice today 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).
The City is discouraging property owners with a frozen water service from installing their own temporary hose lines with their neighbour. This is to ensure that the required public health and safety measures are taken, such as:
- using a hose approved for drinking water, and
- flushing the hose to sanitize before installing.
In addition, it enables the City to take a water meter reading so that we can credit the neighbour's bill once the water pipe is thawed and the temporary hose line is removed.
To date:
| Number of properties identified as being at an increased risk of the possibility of frozen pipes | 5,447 |
| Number of frozen water pipe reports this winter (since November 2013) | 1,716 |
| Number of properties where water has been restored (e.g., thawing) | 671 |
| Number of properties on the list for City thawing service | 1,045 |
| Number of City-installed temporary hose lines | 249 |
| Number of properties without a water supply to their taps due to frozen pipes | 796 |
City crews are working to thaw frozen water pipes as quickly as possible. Crews are working day and night, seven days a week. Today, we are currently thawing properties that reported “no water” to 311 on February 21, 2014. There are some exceptions to this, as listed on Winnipeg.ca/frozenpipes. The average wait time for properties that reported an interruption in water service on February 21 was approximately 20 days. However, given the number of reported cases between February 21 and today, we expect that wait time to increase accordingly each day. All available staff and equipment have been assigned to this effort.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service has completed all requests for deliveries of water, and has had only 16 repeat visits today to deliver water to vulnerable persons. Citizens without water service who are able to attend to a Fire Paramedic station are encouraged to do so to re-fill water jugs. For information on frozen water pipes and select stations to attend for re-fills, please go to Winnipeg.ca/frozenpipes.
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 book an appointment for the City to install a temporary hose from an adjacent property.
The City is also offering free access to shower facilities at all 12 indoor pool locations as well as Fort Rouge Leisure Centre (625 Osborne Street) for those residents without water due to frozen water pipes. A list of locations and operating hours are posted on Winnipeg.ca/frozenpipes. Citizens dealing with frozen pipes should simply identify themselves as such to pool staff at the front counter. Yesterday, 50 citizens utilized these shower facilities.
This winter there has been a sudden and dramatic increase in frozen water pipes due to prolonged periods of frigid temperatures and deeper-than-usual frost penetration into the ground. This is the second coldest winter in 75 years and frost has reached a depth of an average of approximately seven feet.