Preventing Pipes from Freezing in the Northland
By:
DULUTH - The number of locals battling frozen lines is pretty high compared to previous years.
But Duluth city officials say they will not be following suit and issuing a city wide request for residents to run their water to stop pipes from freezing.
Officials say Duluth has 28,000 residential water users and issuing a request to run water would be too expensive for the city, but if things get really bad they will consider it.
City employees tell FOX 21 about 120 customers have had frozen lines this year and 21 are currently without water.
If you are afraid your pipes are in jeopardy of freezing city officials recommend buying a quality thermometer, running your water for five minutes out of your tap and testing the temperature.
Right now water circulating in the system is somewhere between 35 and 40 degrees.
"I would suggest if you run the water and do that temperature test if it goes below 35 degrees you should consider running your water that pencil width thickness," Duluth Public Works and Utilities Director Jim Benning said.
Every year Duluth has something called a bleeder list consisting of 3-400 residents.
If the frost gets to a certain depth they notify customers on that list to run their water.
Other local towns experiencing major freeze ups are requiring their customers to run a stream of water daily.
Officials tell us if you are required to do that, you will not be responsible for those charges.