During typical winters in Ottawa, some homes and businesses experience a frozen water service pipe that prevents water from reaching their internal plumbing. To minimize the risk of water service interruption, as many as 2,000 customers may proactively receive Frozen Water Service Warning – Run Water Notification letters. The City will issue notices to customers who have previously experienced a frozen water service pipe and have not had the service replaced at a lower level, using a phased notification process. The first notice was mailed on January 15. The first notice was sent to homes and businesses where records indicate the water service pipe froze on private property and subsequent notices are sent to homes and businesses where the water service pipe froze on the public side. The notice provides customers with advance notification about the frozen water service pipe risks, and tips and tricks on how to protect water service pipes on their property and what to do if the water service pipe freezes.
How to prevent frozen water service pipes? While the City maintains the water infrastructure up to the water shut-off valve, it is the homeowner’s and businesses’ responsibility to maintain their plumbing and water service pipes. Residents and businesses can protect the water service pipes on their private property, between the water shut-off valve and the home or business, in a variety of ways:
- Proactively insulate pipes near exterior walls
- Ensure the indoor air temperature is kept above eight degrees Celsius in areas that contain water service pipes, especially near the water meter
- Additional information is available on ottawa.ca
