Water Wise: Be Prepared, Winter Is Coming!

As colder weather draws near, it's time to take precautions and protect your pipes from frigid temperatures on the horizon.
Close-up photo of a thin copper pipe with a small hole burst through the center. There is some visual corrosion and water droplets leaking from the hole.

Before winter arrives, now is the perfect time to consider the potential impact of freezing temperatures and take steps to protect your pipes and your home.

Water expands when it freezes, meaning especially frigid temperatures can cause your pipes to freeze or break — even pipes inside your home. This risk becomes especially heightened during winter storms, when heavy ice and snow can lead to downed power lines and loss of heating.

Before the snow and ice is upon us, take our advice to remain as prepared as possible for freezing conditions!

  • Protect your pipes. Insulate pipes, faucets, and water meters in cold areas of the home (like the basement, for example) before temperatures drop.
  • Keep cold air out. Seal off access doors, air vents, and cracks. Winter air that enters a home can quickly freeze exposed water pipes.
  • Winterize outdoor plumbing. Before temperatures drop, remove, drain, and store outside garden hoses and close the internal valves that control the water supply. Then, open the outside hose spigot to allow any remaining water to drain. Water that remains inside this portion of plumbing can quickly freeze and expand, leading to a break.
  • Take extra precautions when leaving your home for an extended period. Consider closing your main water shut-off valve and draining the system by opening all faucets and flushing the toilets. You can also call us directly and shut water service at the curb to avoid a minimum monthly charge. This is particularly important when winter storms are in the forecast, increasing the risk of power outages and loss of heat inside the home.
  • Sign up for automated leak alerts. Our Customer Advantage Portal provides optional notifications for customers to receive alerts when there is a spike in water usage. Setting usage alerts can help alert you to potential leaks or breaks, even if you are away for an extended period. Customers can set up text message and/or email alerts based on customizable usage thresholds that you set. Learn more on our Check Your Water Usage page.

Take care and keep warm!