Fewer homes reporting newly frozen pipes

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This article was published 21/03/2014 (4225 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

New numbers released by city hall Friday paint an encouraging picture of the frozen pipes situation.

The city received 24 new reports of frozen water lines between Thursday and Friday, the lowest number of additional reports since the city has been making daily updates.

“It’s encouraging yet frustrating that more citizens are being impacted by this extreme frost event,” said Randy Hull, Winnipeg’s emergency preparedness coordinator.

Seven additional properties were added to the waiting list to be thawed – also the fewest number since daily updates began.

There have now been 2,112 properties reporting no water because of frozen lines since the situation began in November.

The waiting list for thawing is at 1,332 properties.

Hull said there were only five appointments Saturday for temporary hose connections but staff could handle dozens of hook-ups.

The city was able to restore full water service to 17 properties between Thursday and Friday – bringing the total to 780.

There were 23 temporary water connections hooked up between Thursday and Friday, bringing the total to 579 properties with a hose connection.

For the fourth consecutive day, the number of properties without either full or temporary water service has fallen: It now stands at 753.

Colder temperatures over the weekend may alter the situation.

Hull said properties with temporary hose connections are being asked to insulate the outdoor taps with a towel or blanket to prevent the hose from freezing.

The frost has penetrated at its lowest level yet this winter, between 7 and 8 feet.

City officials said frost could remain in the ground until late May or June.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca