By Michelle Pucci
www.thesuburban.com
Fewer than 50 people in Laval were left with frozen pipes earlier this month.
Since January about 680 people have lost access to water because of frozen pipes in Laval. Usually that number ranges from 100-200.
During extreme weather in January and February, the ground becomes deeply frozen as the cold makes its way down and reaches parts where there are water pipes.
“Usually when it is really cold we don’t have this problem,” said Valérie Sauvé from the city of Laval, calling this year exceptionally cold.
But she says even now they are not at the point where they can declare a victory.
“We’re waiting for the many people on vacation to return,” she said. “When they get back and want to run their water again we’ll find out if there are new cases of frozen pipes.”
Despite warmer weather, it’s possible more households will discover frozen pipes until those higher temperatures make their way down through the soil.
The city works to defreeze about 30 calls per day.
When residents realize that they don’t have access to water, they’re supposed to call 311 so the city can inspect the pipes.
About a dozen teams every day are tasked with de-freezing pipes that are frozen on public land.
Residents that lose access to water because the pipes on their private property are frozen must contact a plumber and visit nearby water distribution centres to pick up four litres of water per day. Nearby arenas and community centres also provide showers.
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