City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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This news release was issued on Sunday.
News Release: March 1, 2015
City of Toronto continues to address frozen pipes and
urges residents to help each other
The City is urging residents to help neighbours without
water until crews can visit the home to investigate the issue. If, during the
visit, the pipes are found to be frozen outside, crews will attempt to
establish a temporary water supply to the neighbour, if consent is provided.
"Toronto Water is working as quickly as possible to
get to each home," says Lou Di Gironimo, General Manager, Toronto Water.
"We have mobilized all available crews, along with staff from other areas
and contractors, to enhance emergency response."
Since the cold weather first hit on February 14, the City
has received more than 2,600 "no water" calls – 10 times the number
received in a typical year. This number continues to grow by approximately 110
to 130 new "no water" calls each day.
In the majority of cases, investigation has determined
that the pipes are frozen within the home. Residents are encouraged to visit http://www.toronto.ca/frozenpipes
for tips on how to thaw frozen pipes.
If these steps do not work, residents should call 311 and
someone from the City's no water "SWAT" team will contact them within
24 hours to schedule a site visit. Due to current call volumes, visits are
being booked five days from today.
Once crews arrive, if the pipes are frozen outside and
they have the neighbour's consent, they will attempt to establish a temporary
water supply connection (called a highline) by attaching a hose between the two
homes. Neighbours will not be charged for any additional water use during this
period.
If a highline is not possible, either for mechanical
reasons or the neighbour would prefer not to install a connection, the property
will be put on the list to have the outside water service pipe thawed.
To date, there are 223 homes on highline and another 171
on the list to be thawed. Thawing is an extensive process that involves
excavating six feet into frozen ground to expose the pipe and apply heat. This
can take anywhere from three to eight hours, as each property is different. As
a result, it can take seven to 10 days for crews to visit each home to thaw the
pipe.
"We understand this is a difficult time for many. We
thank everyone who is making an effort to support their neighbour and for their
continued patience as we work to restore water to affected homes in
Toronto," says Di Gironimo.
To learn more about how to prevent and thaw frozen pipes
and what the City is doing to address the issue, visit http://www.toronto.ca/frozenpipes.
This news release is also available on the City's
website: http://bit.ly/17JXYMs
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in
North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It
is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently
ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host
City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors
can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Lyne Kyle, Strategic Communications,
416-882-8057, lkyle@toronto.ca
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