Over 900 calls for frozen pipes an unprecedented emergency in Hamilton

Frozen pipes continue to cause major headaches for hundreds of Hamilton residents with this week's continued extremely cold temperatures.

Hamilton officials have received more than 900 calls about frozen pipes since December. A typical winter usually brings about 40. In last year's frigid winter, there were about 560 calls.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said in a press conference Thursday the problem is unlikely to improve until next week.

• City looking at grants for residents with frozen pipes

The mayor urged residents to check on their neighbours.

Right now it's taking between five and seven days for Hamilton Water to thaw the pipes due to the high number of calls.

Residents who have not yet contacted the city should either email HWEMERGENCY@hamilton.caor call905-546-4426, but don't do both. Choose one and you can help cut down the number of calls for staff to process.

In the meantime, there are six rec centres open for residents to shower and fill containers with potable water. More information is available on the city's website.

"Unfortunately, we dont expect this situation to improve until later next week," Eisenberger said. "We will need a few days above zero to allow the deep frost to start to melt."

He called living without water "ahorrible inconvenience to our residents" and thanked Hamiltonians for being patient. He said the staff who've been working on the problem have been working around the clock to address it.

The citywon'thave an estimate for what the problem has cost the city until April, but last year, it cost about $700,000.