Calls to Utilities Kingston about frozen water services have increased due to the unusually cold weather. As of this past Saturday, we have restored water to 88 customers impacted by their private services freezing.

While the private water service (the pipe that brings water from the municipal water main to the home) is the home owner or landlord’s responsibility, we are doing our best to assist our customers during this difficult winter.

In cases where the customer is unable to obtain a plumber, or if the plumber is unable to thaw the service, customers can call Utilities Kingston at 613-546-1181 for additional assistance. Thawing private services is a challenging process, and often involves excavating in order to access the curb stop valve.

We are committed to restoring water services to our customers and have taken the unprecedented step to run temporary overland services to the 37 customers whose services we were not able to thaw. Crews worked with a contractor to run these temporary services. As of this past Saturday at noon, all private water services were reestablished.

As the weather gets milder, frost can still put water services at increased risk of freezing. To avoid costly issues with a privately-owned water line, we recommend that customers run a quarter inch stream of tap water until further notice.

Residents are encouraged to review tips to prevent a water line from freezing, as well as information on what to do if the service has frozen.