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Winter Weather Preparation
*Check sprinkler of irrigation systems- Make sure you've turned everything off and fully drained the system.
*Identify your home's freezing points- Check your home for pipes in areas that might be prone to freezing, unheated rooms, basements, garages, and exterior walls.
*Know how to shut off your water- Locate your main water shut-off valve. You may want to tag or label it so you don't have to search for it in an emergency.
*Strengthen your defenses- Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by closing off crawl spaces, fixing drafty windows, insulating walls and attics, and plugging drafts around doors.
*Prevent pipes from freezing- Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. Consider collecting the water for later use.
*Keep your pipes warm- Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.
BUT IF YOUR PIPES DO FREEZE:
*Shut off the water immediately- Don't attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main shut-off valve.
*Thaw pipes with warm air- You can melt the frozen water in the pipe by warming the air around it with a hair dryer or space heater. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
*Be careful turning water back on- Once pipes are thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check pipes and joints for any cracks or leaks that might have been caused by freezing.
PWSD # 1 COLD WEATHER ALERT!
January 22, 2026
If you haven’t shut off your outside water yet, TODAY is a great day to do it with temperatures still above freezing.
Why the urgency? A long stretch of extreme cold arrives starting Friday evening, with at least a week — possibly 10 days — of highs mainly in the low 30s and lows in the single digits and teens. That is a recipe for frozen or burst pipes.
Here's what to do:
* Make sure the lid is on the water meter pit tightly and DO NOT open it. If the meter freezes, call the office. Don't try to thaw it out yourself.
* Turn off the outside water valve from inside your home
* Disconnect hoses and store them indoors
* Open outdoor faucets to let any remaining water drain out
* Add insulated faucet covers for extra protection
* Farmers, check your cattle waterer regularly
