PUC reports below-average number of frozen water mains

Sault Ste. Marie has had fewer than usual frozen water mains so far this winter, but Mother Nature has been working extra hard this week to change that.

Rob Brewer, president and chief executive officer, told a meeting of the PUC Service Inc. board of directors on Wednesday that we're still below average, notwithstanding seven frozen mains since Saturday.   

"The spike that we've had was in the last week was when temperatures got down to minus 30 over the weekend," Brewer said. We are still below average for the year, which we are happy about. The seven that we've had since Saturday are certainly contributing to this year's total."

"We've had a heck of a lot of work going on with our water distribution crews," Brewer told SooToday.

"They have been putting in work day and night to get water main breaks fixed as they happen. Those guys have been pretty much on 24/7. We're very proud of the work they've been doing."

Brewer said that a small number of PUC customers in areas prone to pipe freezing were advised this week to keep their water running. 

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services have also been responding to numerous pipe breaks that have occurred inside local buildings this week.