With extremely cold weather continuing this week and into the weekend, the City of Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking residents to be conscious of freezing water lines. With the extreme temperatures the area has been experiencing, conditions are suitable for water lines to freeze.
In order to help citizens prevent their water lines from freezing, the City of Sturgis recommends that residents allow a slow stream of water around the size of a pencil to run continuously from a single faucet. This will not guarantee that water lines won’t freeze, but it is the best possible measure.
Residents should also watch for symptoms of frozen or freezing water service lines. Symptoms include:
- A slight decrease in water pressure
- Water becoming rusty or cloudy
- Extremely cold water (less than 35 degrees)
Risk factors for frozen water lines include homes with a history of the water service freezing, homes with smaller water service lines (5/8” meters), and customers whose water service line travels under the street or driveway to the home or building. These homes are at a particularly high risk for freezing pipes.
Residents can determine if water service lines run under the street by locating the nearest fire hydrant to a home. If the nearest hydrant is on the opposite side of the street from one's home, the service line likely runs under the street.
If you suspect frozen water lines, please contact the Department of Public Services at 651-2879 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or 467-4195 after business hours.
