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How Can We Prevent Frozen Pipes?
Author(s) -
Awwa Small Systems Division
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2009.tb02990.x
Subject(s) - frost (temperature) , service (business) , line (geometry) , cold weather , environmental science , forensic engineering , computer science , business , engineering , meteorology , geography , geometry , mathematics , marketing
This month's question asks how a small water system can prevent service lines from freezing in the winter. The article suggests prevention as the best preparation. When the service lines are installed, they should be buried below the frost line. If your utility is in an extremely cold environment, the service line may need to be encased or insulated to prevent freezing. Other suggestions include: keep records of problem areas; notify customers to keep water flowing; run insulated lines through heated tunnels in the far north; and, recirculate water from the distribution system back to the treatment plant. Defining service line ownership is discussed, along with approved electric thawing machines, and hot water thawing.