Frozen Pipes Bulletin #23: Update on frozen water pipes

Released: April 9, 2014 at 2:40 p.m.
64 additional properties identified as being at an increased risk, advised to prevent interruption of water service before it happens

Winnipeg, MB �' City of Winnipeg officials today advise that, to prevent an interruption of service before it happens, an additional 64 properties have been identified 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).

Starting this afternoon, City staff are notifying residents at these properties by telephone and a hand delivered notice to start leaving one cold water tap running at a trickle (about the amount of a drinking straw) all the time to prevent the water pipe from freezing and interrupting their water service.

Citizens can also search their addresses on the City’s Electronic Citizens' Information Service - e-CIS - on the website at Winnipeg.ca to find out whether or not their property is currently identified as being at an increased risk of the City's portion of the water pipe freezing.

To reduce the number of new reports of frozen water pipes, City staff remain vigilant at monitoring and identifying properties in need of preventative action. Even with the warmer temperatures, the risk of frozen pipes will continue until the frost is out of the ground, which could be as late as June. Properties advised to run cold water are urged to continue to do so until the City advises them to stop.

A total of 7,320 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).

This year, Winnipeg has experienced 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 Winnipeg’s coldest winter since 1898 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

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