Frozen pipes leave nearly 100 Sudbury homes without water

Despite throwing all available city crews at the problem of frozen water services, the City of Greater Sudbury says it's still struggling to get to all the homes that are without water.

The city said 18 differentcrews are working to address frozen water pipes, and water has been restored to 209 homes since early February.But many are still on a wait list, and new calls continue to come into 3-1-1:

• 57 properties are scheduled for steam/hot water thawing
• 27 property owners are waiting for electrical thawing of their frozen water service
• 12 are waiting for excavation of pipes that crews have been unable to thaw

The city said it will continue to offershower facilities for people who do not have running water,as a result of frozen water services or water main breaks, until March 6. After that date the city assess the situation again.

People looking to take a shower will be asked to present identification and to supply their own towels and toiletries, the city said.Children under the age of 16 also must be accompanied by an adult. Shower facilities are open from7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• CapreolMillennium Resource Centre, 24MeehanStreet,Capreol,
• GatchellPool, 43 Irving Street,
• Sudbury, Nickel District Pool, 1940 Hawthorne Street,Sudbury,
• OnapingFalls Pool, 1 Hillside Drive,Onaping

Although temperatures will warm up as spring approaches, the city warned the problem of frozen pipes could linger becauseair temperature is not an indicator of risk of frozen water services. The city said itwill likely be months before the risk of ground frost is gone.

People are encouraged to watch for neighbours who are without water andmay require special assistance, the city said.

Residents have the right to contract work to a plumber or contractor or their choice, the city stated. However, all charges (including additional water consumption) must be incurred by the property owner, whether the frozen water service is on municipal property or private property.

City water sources frozen

Drinking water is also available atmunicipal filling stations around the city, but the City of Greater Sudburysaid two of those stations have now frozen as well and have been closed.

There is no water available atmunicipal filling stations on Bay Street in Whitefish and on Bancroft Drive, near Moonlight Beach Road.

• Residents of Lively and area may fill their own containers with municipal water at the T.M. Davies Arena, from 9 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to midnight, Saturday and Sunday.
• Residents of Minnow Lake and area may fill containers at the Carmichael Arena and at the Toe Blake Memorial Arena, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The city is directing residents to its website for further information on water filling stations locations:www.greatersudbury.ca/frozen.