Recent water work excavations have determined that the frost level in city streets has reached a level that may cause water pipes to freeze, so we are asking some City of Battle Creek neighbors to run water.
This action will limit the number of frozen pipes during this week’s extremely low temperatures. Please note that, if the number of frozen pipes increases, it may take some time to get staff to every location to thaw those service lines, and neighbors could be without water for several days.
The addresses listed in the accompanying document should run water at a tap or faucet that can be left running continuously. The amount of flow should be three-eighths of an inch in size, or about the size of a pencil. This should prevent water lines from freezing.
The list includes approximately 200 City of Battle Creek addresses. All of these have a history of frozen water pipes in the last eight years.
The city will provide billing adjustments for those accounts told to run water. The city Water team has attempted to contact every affected address by phone, and is mailing follow-up letters, to confirm the need to run water. Once the weather warms, the city will inform customers that they no longer have to run water, by letter and through our website and social media.