The extreme changes in temperature over the last weekend resulted in five water main breaks, a common situation during a Michigan winter.
As we expect another such temperature change this week, city officials are offering information and suggestions to help neighbors avoid frozen water pipes.
The city has replaced water mains in a number of areas across the city in recent years, due to a history of frozen pipes. We have placed the water mains deeper, to avoid the underground frost levels. The water leaving our Verona Pumping Station is a fairly constant temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, also helping avoid frozen pipes.
Neighbors can help by checking their crawl spaces and basements, where water pipes typically enter the home. These areas should be clear of cold drafts, and have access to the home’s heat, to avoid frozen pipes and meters. Look for these items near windows or outside walls, where a draft could be cold enough to freeze them.
If your water meter is in a cabinet, leave a door partially open to allow for heat flow around the meter and pipe.
If you have additional questions, or if you find you have lost water service, please contact the city teams in Water Distribution, 269-966-3506 or Utility Billing, 269-966-3366.