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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7b Frozen Water and Sewer lines - Proper Roles�b SHAKOPEE PUBLIC UTILITIES MEMORANDUM TO: SHAKOPEE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSSION FROM: JOHN R. CROOKS, UTILITIES MANAGErPER SUBJECT: FROZEN WATER AND SEWER LINES — LES DATE: MAY 2, 2014 The weather thus far in 2014 has been some of the coldest on record. Not just Minnesota, but also a large portion of the United States. Because of the temperature extremes, many issues affected utilities operations. One of the most notable affects was the depth of frozen ground. These frost levels reached over 8 feet in some areas; depth levels not seen in over 40 years. Because of the deep penetration, water service lines and even watermains were freezing in the metro area. In Shakopee, there were 19 water service lines that became frozen due to the depth of the frost. No watermains were frozen. The Water Department had no records that indicate this ever happening in our system, for either service lines or watermains Shakopee Public Utilities policy states the water service lines are owned by the property owners. The Utilities has the responsibility of the watermains. Policy also states the service lines be buried to a depth of 7%2 feet; watermains are required to be looped and also buried to a depth of 7%2 feet. In each case of frozen services, SPUC Staff assisted the property owners in an attempt to thaw the services. When it was determined the service line was frozen due to the frost levels, the property owners were given information about who they could contact to assist them in the thawing of the service line. During this period, the Commission was provided updates on the number of services frozen and the ones that were thawed. This information was provided during the Water Operation Report given during Commission meetings. Staff now has a record of the properties that experienced frozen services and will send letters to their owners, annually, to remind them that in extreme weather conditions, preventative measures should be taken to lessen the risk of freezing. Crooks, John From: Schemel, Lon Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 9:22 AM To: Crooks, John Subject: Frozen Water Services Update This was first published on our website February 28`h, 2014. I am sure that many of you have been seeing on the news and reading in newspapers that the Midwest is having an unusually high number of water service lines freezing. Weeks of subzero temperatures has pushed the frost in the ground deeper than usual. Where we might normally see frost at the 4 to 5 foot depth, we now see 6 to 8 foot depths. Some cities are having many water main breaks every day and hundreds of frozen services to their customers. That is NOT the case in Shakopee. So far this winter we have only had 1 main break that is attributed to frost. Out of 10,956 service lines there have only been 13 frozen services. The City Engineers Association of Minnesota specifies that water mains and service lines be placed 7 feet below the surface. Shakopee places mains and services at 7 -1/2 feet. We feel that this extra half of a foot is helping to prevent freeze ups. The question of letting your water run to prevent freezing has been asked. Since the customer owns their entire service out to the water main, letting a small stream of water run from a tap is an option if you feel the need to prevent a frozen service. The cost of the water would certainly be much less than the cost of a plumber but we have not seen the need for this yet. We will immediately post a notice on our website and contact the media should the number of frozen services rise suddenly. You may also be interested in some steps to follow to avoid frozen pipes inside your home. Please click here for that information. Sincerely, Lon Schemel Water Superintendent SHAKOPEE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Lon R. Schemel Water Superintendent SHAKOPEE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ,�.� m P \. e � J