Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg officials today announced additional supports for homeowners and businesses that are without water service due to frozen pipes. In addition to providing free access to City-run indoor swimming pools for shower facilities, City Departments are working closely with each other to make additional City supports available to citizens without water. The City will now provide potable water to citizens with frozen pipes.
For those who have already contacted the City to report frozen pipes, a team of City staff will be phoning those citizens to inquire if potable water is required at their home or business. For those who require potable water, arrangements will be made with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) to have water delivered in reusable 20-litre (five-gallon) jugs.
The City has also assigned additional City staff to assist with contacting citizens who are waiting for temporary water hoses to be installed as well as facilitating the required paperwork from the supplying property (neighbours).
To better accommodate new cases of frozen pipes cases during the coming weeks, the City has implemented a streamlined process for assisting property owners. When citizens with frozen 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 water supply installed from an adjacent property.
Citizens who identify as needing assistance with potable water will be directly connected to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) Communications Centre. Operators at the WFPS Communications Centre will take relevant information and schedule delivery of water by WFPS. Water deliveries to those in need will be scheduled to ensure there is no interruption to emergency response services.
Upon delivery of water by WFPS, a Paramedic will determine if loss of water is causing any public health issues. If there is a health concern, the citizen will be referred for further follow-up, as per Fire Paramedic Service protocol.
On Monday, March 3 the City of Winnipeg offered 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.