We’ve all noticed city workers digging up streets or parking lots to repair broken water mains, but environmental services and utilities manager Scott Tam says the incidence is not higher than any other winter.
“I don’t have an accurate number in my head,” he says, “but’s no more or no less than years previous.”
Tam says there is no way to predict such an incident. It all depends on a long list of causes, including the age of the pipe to weather and environmental factors.
“Every time you see us digging, it doesn’t mean it’s related to a water main break,” Tam remarks. “There’s lots of service and maintenance that needs to go on as well, and we don’t put that off, depending on the season.”
He acknowledges that it’s inconvenient when they do happen, and you lose your water service until the break is repaired.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s an inconvenience. The only thing I can maybe do say is that if you do experience any type of water discolouration, just run your cold water ‘til it goes clear. If not, call in the report to the city if the conditions don’t improve.”