There is never a convenient time for a water main break to happen, however the Water and Waste Department has noticed they are more likely to occur during extreme weather conditions in both summer and winter.
“We experience just as many water main breaks in July and August as we do in January and February,” said Zeljko Bodiroga, Water Distribution Engineer with the Water and Waste Department.
If there is a water main break on your street, please contact 311 to report it so a crew can be dispatched to start the repair process.
City crews will turn off the water as quick as possible to try and minimize any damage. A portable water tank may also be available for residents to use if the water will be off for an extended period of time.
That’s because the colder weather makes repairing the water main more difficult. The water leaking from the broken main can freeze quickly, before it can drain into nearby catch basins.
Residents looking to find out what type of water main work is happening in their area can visit the MyUtilityInfo website. It was recently updated to include a map showing detailed information about water main activity, such as the type of work and when it started.
You can also contact 311 to find out more about water main work being done in your neighbourhood.
If work is being done in your area, you may experience some discoloured water once the water is turned back on. Water main repair work changes the rate of flow of water and this can cause sediment and minerals in the water pipes to loosen and be released into the water.