WINNIPEG – The number of Winnipeg homes at-risk of having frozen pipes continues to grow. Saturday, the city released there’s an extra 3,240 at-risk properties.
Extra city staff is working to contact those homeowners by phone and uniformed members of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will hand-deliver notices.
“There is nothing Winnipeg does better than pulling together when our fellow citizens need help. I want to thank all Winnipeggers who have reached out to offer assistance to those who are without water,” said Mayor Sam Katz in a press release. “Allowing the use of a temporary hose line, offering laundry facilities or offering to refill water jugs is helping during this difficult time.”
Only residents at-risk of freezing pipes is being encouraged to leave a tap running. The city advises those who have not received a notice not to leave a tap running as that increases the risk of sewer backup, basement flooding and sewage treatment plant upset.
“We definitely don’t want to overwhelm our existing systems as we go through this,” said Deepak Joshi, acting chief administrative officer. “The city is diligently working at this. It’s very important to note that the properties that are identified, those are the ones that need to run the tap and keep the tap running as well.”
A total of 4,965 properties have now been identified as being at risk. The city couldn’t say which neighbourhoods they’re in.
There are currently 806 properties that on the list for city thawing frozen water pipes.
“On average we’re thawing properties that have had a frozen pipe for about 16 days,” said Diane Sacherm, director of water and waste. “But as you might appreciate, we’re thawing on average 15 properties per day but we’re getting about 70 new properties per day so every day that this goes on, that wait list is going to grow.”
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