Despite the recent milder temperatures, the threat of frozen water mains remains. Gillett and Oconto Falls residents are reminded to run a steady stream of water—about the width of a pencil—from one faucet at all times.
“Just because its warmer doesn’t mean the frost is out of the ground,” said Chuck Grady, Oconto Falls Utilities supervisor. He said homes in the city continue to experience freeze-ups.
Gillett Utilities Supervisor Ron Anderson said homes will be tagged by city workers when it is safe to turn off the water. Several homes in the city are being serviced with garden hoses for their water supply, he told the City Council on Thursday.
The city experienced a frozen water main March 3 on Fourth Street, and contractors fixed the problem the next day. Anderson expects more problems as the frost leaves the ground.
“The ground will shift, and we can expect several water main breaks,” he said.
The frost is almost 7 feet deep, he said.
Because of the below-zero temperatures, city workers changed the water level in the city’s water tower every four hours to break up the ice.
Warmer weather will alleviate that problem but will cause additional problems with broken water mains and street flooding, Anderson said.
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