Winnipeg, MB - The City has plans in place to respond quickly to the risk of frozen water pipes if Winnipeg experiences another winter with extreme frost depths.
Tim Shanks, Manager of Water Services, says, “We will be closely monitoring a number of conditions that contribute to frozen water pipes, such as frost depth, and will be ready to roll out our response plan very quickly if we determine that there is a high risk of water pipes freezing.”
The City will advise property owners if and when it becomes necessary to leave a tap running to prevent a frozen water pipe (e.g., properties that experienced a frozen water pipe in the winter of 2013-14, properties determined to be at a high risk of the City’s pipe freezing).
During the work last winter in responding to the unprecedented number of frozen water pipes:
- research and testing of equipment resulted in an increased inventory of thawing equipment,
- the workforce gained extensive experience and expertise in thawing water service pipes with various types of thawing equipment,
- 485 ground straps were installed (a copper wire which is a requirement for thawing some pipes), which will remain in the ground for future years to allow for a quick response at those particular locations if they freeze again.
In addition:
- excavations will be closely monitored to evaluate the depth of frost throughout the winter,
- work is underway with a local manufacturer to upgrade the DBH fleet (electrical thawing machines),
- plans are underway to install frost depth monitors at select locations by the end of the year,
- during water main replacements, the City’s portion of the water pipe is routinely evaluated for compliance with Standard Construction Specifications (e.g., material type, depth of bury); pipes that don’t meet the specs are replaced at the time the water main work is done, and
- meetings will continue with contractors and/or suppliers who feel they have potential solutions and/or who could provide assistance.
There are steps property owners can take to weatherproof the basement or crawlspace to prevent water pipes from freezing within the home. For example, water pipes (both hot and cold) near the exterior walls should be insulated, especially those facing north. These preventative measures are listed on our website at City of Winnipeg - Frozen Water Pipes.
This past winter, Winnipeg 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. It was Winnipeg’s coldest winter since 1898 and the frost depth was at an average of about eight to nine feet below pavement surfaces.