Winnipeg, MB - Committed to safely and effectively restoring water service to all citizens affected by frozen water pipes, the Public Service today demonstrated one of the new machines in their expanding inventory of equipment effective at thawing water pipes frozen on the City portion of the pipe.
Today’s demonstration was of a machine custom built by Water and Waste Department staff using a high pressure washer, hot water tank, enhanced plumbing fittings and NSF certified hose, increasing the potential for successful thawing on City side frozen pipes. Prior to developing this new custom built equipment, thawing on the City portion of pipes was only effectively accomplished using DBH electrical technology.
In addition, Water and Waste Department staff have been working for a number of weeks to custom modify four hot water pulse jetting thawing machines to boost their effectiveness at thawing longer portions of City water pipe. These machines have been effective at thawing short lengths of pipe, which are typically the property owner’s portion of pipe (from the home up to the shut-off valve). However, with these creative modifications, staff have had increased success over the last couple of weeks at thawing City portions of frozen water pipe. Staff continue to work to build on this success.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that, combined with a trend downward in the number of new frozen pipes, this custom equipment will help us to thaw more pipes, restoring full service to more of our customers,” said Diane Sacher, Director of Water and Waste.
Sacher noted that this equipment will be used to supplement the three DBH machines, which continue to have the highest success rate in thawing City portions of frozen pipe.
If there are contractors that can demonstrate that they have the technology and processes to thaw pipes that are frozen on the City’s portion of the water pipe, and meet the standard requirements for working on City water systems infrastructure (e.g., bonding, COR certified for safety, appropriate insurance), the City would work collaboratively with them.
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