Winnipeg, MB - Customers who receive their quarterly utility bill and are running a cold water tap continuously to prevent a frozen water pipe are advised to pay the same amount they paid on their last quarterly utility bill.
These customers are assured that late payment charges will not be applied for the balance showing as outstanding. Accounts will be adjusted once the City determines that the risk of frozen pipes is over and notifies residents that they can stop running water to prevent freezing, which could be as late as June.
This applies to:
- customers notified by the City to take the preventative measure of running one cold water tap at a trickle continuously to prevent water pipes from freezing,
- customers that have had a frozen water pipe thawed and were notified by City staff to run their water continuously to prevent the water pipe from freezing again, and
- customers that have authorized the City to hook up a temporary hose to provide water to their neighbour. These customers should also pay their last bill amount, as they will not be charged for the additional water used by their neighbour. Their account will be adjusted once the hose line is no longer required and a meter reading is provided at the time the hose line is disconnected.
A credit will be applied to utility bills of up to a maximum of 1.5 cubic metres per day (1,500 litres) as long as the Utility Billing Centre has received two water meter readings - a reading at the time a tap was left running continuously and a reading when advised by the City to stop running water continuously. This volume is the equivalent of approximately $5.45 per day or $500 per quarter. Utility bills are issued quarterly.
Customers on the pre-authorized payment plan can contact the Utility Billing Centre at least five days before the date the amount owing is due to be withdrawn from their account. The pre-authorized payment will be stopped for that bill and customers can then pay the same amount they paid on their last quarterly utility bill.
Customers can reach the Utility Billing Centre by email at utilitybill@winnipeg.ca or by phone at 204-986-2455. The Centre is open:
- Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (except holidays)
- Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except holiday long weekends).
Call volumes are expected to be higher than normal at the Centre until the risk of freezing is over and all utility accounts are adjusted.
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 the frost is currently at an average of about seven to eight feet deep below pavement surfaces.
For more information about frozen pipes, please visit winnipeg.ca/frozenpipes