Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg officials advise that, to prevent an interruption of service before it happens, an additional 865 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 properties tomorrow.
A total of 6,312 properties have now been proactively advised to take this preventative measure to prevent the City's portion of the water pipe from freezing.
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 currently thawing frozen water pipes reported from February 22 to March 4, 2014. For those residents awaiting thawing, the City recommends contacting a neighbour to arrange for a City-installed temporary hose line connection. A temporary hose line provides full service to both homes, and the connecting neighbour will not be billed for the additional water use. As long as the resident drawing water from the neighbouring home leaves one cold tap running all the time, both homes are protected from an interruption in water service.
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.