Cold - Test

Public Service Announcement

With the recent record-breaking cold, the City of Kelowna is remindinghomeowners to take the necessary steps to protect their water meters and pipesfrom the cold.  

While it is the City’s responsibility to read and maintain water meters,it is the homeowner’s responsibility to protect them from the elements. Watermeters measure the amount of water used by the home and are usually locateddirectly after the main water-shut off and before the valve for outsideirrigation.  Homeowners who have water meters located in a basement or crawlspace, under a mobile home, or along an outside wall should take extraprecautions during cold snaps like we are currently experiencing. If these areasare not well-insulated or heated, the meter and pipes may freeze and crack,causing leaks and potential flooding when they thaw.  

To protect your water meter and pipes from freezing, follow thesetips: 

Insulate around the water meter and exposed pipes. This could befiberglass or foam insulation, application of heat tape / cable, or even ablanket or old towel.  

Keep the area around the water meter and pipeswarm by opening cabinet doors, closing crawl space vents, sealing cracks andholes, and using a space heater if necessary. 

If you have a water meterunder a mobile home, install a proper skirting around the base of the home andinsulate the underside of the floor. 

Check your water meter and pipesregularly for signs of frost or ice buildup. If you notice any problems, call aplumber as soon as possible. 

If you are going away for an extended periodof time, have someone check on your property regularly, as required by your homeinsurance, and leave your home’s thermostat set to at least 16 C.  

By taking these simple precautions, you can help avoid costly repairs andwater damage to your property and help conserve water in our community. To learnmore about your water meter, visit kelowna.ca/watermeters.