Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg officials opened a Frozen Pipe Citizen Resource Centre at the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex (999 Sargent Avenue) today to assist citizens impacted by frozen water pipes. The resource centre provides access to City and partner resources to help alleviate many of the challenges posed by the interruption to water services such as a drinking water refill centre, in-person information access, personal comfort kits and waterless cleaning kits.
"Running a household with no water is a challenge and by establishing a one-stop resource location for citizens we hope to help families and individuals access information, resources and opportunities to alleviate some difficulties," said Randy Hull, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the City of Winnipeg. "As we move forward, we can adjust resource availability accordingly, increasing or decreasing services based on demand, while citizens await thawing service for their properties."
Resources available to citizens impacted by frozen water pipes include:
- Sanitization instructions and drinking water refill stations
- containers of water (also available at select Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Stations)
- in-person access to a 311 service representative for frozen water pipe reporting and temporary hose line assistance
- personal comfort kit and waterless cleaning kit from the Canadian Red Cross Manitoba Region
- access to refreshments supplied by The Salvation Army
- access to shower facilities
- access to recreation and reading activities on site
The Citizen Resource Centre at Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex, 999 Sargent Avenue, will operate Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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 approximately seven feet.