JAMESTOWN – With cold temperatures lingering with us for at least the next few days, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is asking residents to do what they can to help prevent water lines from freezing up.
The BPU Water Department says it is facing more frozen water service to homes and businesses this winter compared to past years.
According to Water Division engineers, the Water Department is finding frost 4 feet-2 inches below ground, the same area where water mains and service lines are buried. In some cases, water lines may be laying in a bed of ice. If the water is not moving all the time, the water in that line will freeze, causing breakage in water pipes.
If the break occurs on the owner’s side of the water stop, usually located in the terrace area between the sidewalk and street, the owner is responsible to have the pipe replaced or repaired. These repairs could cost thousands of dollars.
BPU officals are advising residents to keep a small stream of water running constantly in their home.
They say a 1/32 inch stream of water running 24 hours a day would cost 53 cents a day in Jamestown. Customers are advised to run a small stream especially during extended times of non-use, such as during the night. If a customer chooses not to run the water in the day, they are advised to run the water hard several times throughout the day and night to clear the line of ice build-up.
Should customers need help to thaw frozen water services or pipes, they may call BPU Customer Service at 661-1660 from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. weekdays. The number for “after hours” is 661-1640, the utility trouble line.
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