The City of Salida public works department is offering guidelines for water customers concerned about frozen meters. The sustained period of colder weather increases the risk that water meters will fail, causing a disruption of water service. The highest risk of freezing continues in the days following severely cold weather when the frost level deepens.
When a water meter freezes, the public works department must thaw and repair the meter. Typically, the frost plate at the bottom of the meter must be replaced. The public works department performs this service at no charge between the hours of 7:30 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Reports are addressed first come first serve once reported to the public works department at 539-6257.
Although a small percentage of meters break each year as a result of the cold weather, the disruption of water service is very inconvenient for those residents who experience this situation. Customers at highest risk are absent homeowners and residents who turn on their water service very infrequently. The following suggestions to avoid the problem are offered to customers:
- If you are going out of town, you may want to leave a very small, but steady, stream of water running from the tap. At a minimum, arrange for a friend or neighbor to come into your home and run cold water for a few minutes each day.
- If you will be away for a long period of time, the public works department will turn off the water service until you return. This service is free of charge once per year and $30 for each time thereafter.
- Run cold water for a few minutes before turning in for the night if you use very little water throughout the day.
- Having some clean water in your home stored in a re-usable container is always a good idea for emergencies.
Hot water comes from within the house and is not effective in “warming up” the line through the water meter.
If you own or manage a vacant property that is not being heated, it is strongly recommended that you have public works turn off the water service.
Should you notice a disruption in your water service, contact the public works department immediately at 539-6257. Contact the county dispatch office at 539-2596 after regular business hours of 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
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