City of Greater Sudbury Frozen Water Service Update

Feb 24, 2015

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 24, 2015

City of Greater Sudbury crews continue to work diligently to identify and restore frozen water services across the city. This process is taking more time than usual due to extended freezing temperatures, resulting in a larger number of frozen services. The City recognizes the frustration that some residents are experiencing, and requests the public’s patience while we deal with the consequences of the record low temperatures that have occurred this winter.

Residents who do not have water should call 3-1-1 to report it. They will be put on a list and the City will dispatch a crew member to investigate and confirm a frozen water pipe or meter. City crews are working to confirm as many cases as possible today in an effort to shorten the wait time for confirmation.

Once a frozen water service is confirmed, the resident will be asked to call 3-1-1 again to give the City permission to thaw the line. Once permission is received, the resident is placed on a waiting list to receive thawing service; each case is addressed on a first-come, first served basis.

The City of Greater Sudbury, along with its contractors, is working to capacity in an effort to restore water to residents without service as quickly as possible. However, the current wait time for a crew to be dispatched once permission has been received by the resident to proceed is between 2 and 6 days. If a frozen water service is found to be on the private side, an hourly rate is charged for the thawing service; if the frozen water service is on the municipal side, no fee is applied. 

The City of Greater Sudbury will call property owners before they dispatch crews, to ensure that someone will be at home. We currently have eight crews working to service the community.

The City maintains records of frozen water service; residents who have experienced frozen water lines, either last year or for two consecutive years, have received a letter from the City with instructions to run their water at the width of a pencil on a continuous basis over the winter, as a preventative measure. Residents who have not been specifically instructed by the City to run their water are responsible for additional water charges should they choose to continuously run their water as a precautionary measure.

Residents affected by frozen water lines may fill their own containers at any of the municipal filling stations located in the following areas: Bay Street in Whitefish, Countryside Drive in Sudbury, near the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, Bancroft Drive in Sudbury, near Moonlight Beach Road, and Spruce Street in Garson.

Alternatively, a number of local arenas will be available as water filling stations at the locations and during the hours noted below:

Cambrian Arena (Cambrian Heights), Carmichael Arena (Minnow Lake), Capreol Arena, Raymond Plourde Arena (Val Caron), McClelland Arena (Copper Cliff) and Toe Blake (Coniston):

o   3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

o   7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Centennial Arena (Hanmer), Dr. Edgar Leclair Community Centre / Arena (Azilda), T.M. Davies Community Centre / Arena (Lively):

o   9 a.m. to Midnight, Monday to Friday

o   8 a.m. to Midnight, Saturday and Sunday

I.J. Coady Memorial Arena (Levack):

o   4 p.m. to Midnight, Monday to Friday

o   8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

Addresses and locations of all arenas are available at http://www.greatersudbury.ca/living/arenas.

It is important to note that although the weather is getting warmer, the risk of frozen water service is not decreasing. Residents who have been asked to run their water should continue to do so.

For more information regarding frozen pipes, please contact the City at 3-1-1 or visit our website and search frozen pipes.

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