Hibbing Residents Asked To Keep Water Running

HIBBING- Yesterday we learned why Duluth is not having residents run their water.

Today we hear what public works is instructing residents of Hibbing to do.

Hibbing utilities says residents should continue running their water, probably all the way through the end of March.

The size of a pencil.
That is the size of the stream of water the Hibbing utilities are suggesting people run from their faucets.

Gary Myers of Hibbing public utilities says, "if they're going to be gone for a period of time, they probably should."
More than 12 hours without running water and they say the pipes could freeze.
In Hibbing, the utility is going to pay for the extra water.
"When the bills come due, when they do the meter reads they'll take a five month average, and average it out and that's what they'll get charged for this bill."
But not all cities are doing the same thing.
So you can check your water if you are concerned.
"They can test their water. Take the temperature of their water. If it's gets to a certain point they should probably run there water."
That point is anywhere in the 30 degree range.
In the past 2 weeks,
118 people and businesses had contractors out to thaw their pipes.
And today was the second time in a week for this Hibbing woman.
Millie Moore said, "well we had our water running to keep if from freezing and Monday it had actually just froze up anyways."
And if the utility can't
get it running, her son won't be able to visit her this week.

"Well if we don't get it fixed tomorrow he's going to end up going to his dad's house again. It makes me sad because I like the time I get with him."
Contractors were out working on the water main.
Engineer Joe Borra said, "yesterday morning we came and isolated a valve on Morton Avenue, and isolated a valve on second street to try to force water down the main on 1st street, and we couldn't get any flow to a hydrant."
But a neighboring house fire ended their work for today.

Because they utility was running current through the hydrant, they had to
Halt their work for the fire department to get through.

Hibbing public utilities says to make sure you call them before you start running your water so they can keep track.