Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

Archive for December, 2010

Severe winter weather possible for New Year’s Eve- News Release

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

 

News Release-City of Rochester Emergency Management

Contact: Sergeant Jon Turk, Deputy Director

Emergency Management Division

Day Phone: 507-328-2823

Email Address: jturk@rochestermn.gov

For Immediate Release

New Year’s Eve Winter Weather — 12-30-2010, 2:30 PM

Rochester, MN, December 30, 2010— The City of Rochester Emergency Management Division, Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works Department, Rochester Public Utilities, City Attorney and the Mayor’s Office participated in a conference call with the National Weather Service at 1:30 PM to receive a briefing on the approaching winter storm and the potential impacts to the City.

City of Rochester Situation Report

Department/Agency

 

 

Status

 

 

Additional Items

 

 

Building Safety

 

 

Normal operations

 

 

Emergency Management

 

 

Monitoring weather conditions

 

 

Fire

 

 

Normal operations

 

 

Park and Recreation

 

 

Normal operations

 

 

Police

 

 

Normal operations

 

 

Rochester Public Utilities

 

 

Normal operations

 

 

Crews on standby.

 

 

Public Works

 

 

Normal operations

 

 

All sand and salt trucks are being loaded.

 

 

RPU closed on December 24 and 31

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

The Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) Service Center will be closed on December 24 and 31 in recognition of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

 

 

Customers can still make payments online on the RPU web site or drop off payments at drop box locations throughout Rochester. Critical services will still be staffed over the holidays and employees will remain on call if needed.

 

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

RPU and the city of Rochester remind Rochester residents to clear snow away from fire hydrants

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

View a recent news story on the importance to remove snow around fire hydrants in Rochester

If you have questions or concerns about a fire hydrant on or near your property, please contact the Rochester Fire Department.

Cold weather tips to better ensure that your water service doesn’t freeze this winter

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

 

Cold weather can cause problems with your home’s water service if ignored. Taking proper precautions now can better ensure that your water pipes work properly throughout the cold winter months. Here are some things to be aware of and steps to take to keep your water flowing without problems.

 

1)    Make sure all of your garden hoses on outside faucets are disconnected.

2)    If you have an irrigation system, make sure it is disconnected and winterized.

3)    If you live in a manufactured home, make sure your heat tape is turned on and working properly.

4)    If you have water pipes located in closets or cabinets along an outside wall, open the doors and let warm air from your home circulate into these openings to prevent the pipes from freezing.

5)    Make sure the cold air return line from your furnace is not blowing directly on your internal water pipes.

6)    If you have experienced frozen water services in the past, starting in mid-December you should begin monitoring the temperature and condition of your water. Taking your water’s temperature is a simple way to avoid a costly problem. If the water temperature reaches 35 degrees, your water service could be in danger of freezing. You should begin leaving a small stream of water flowing from a faucet in the lower level of your home.

7)    If you are leaving your home for an extended time period during the winter, you should turn off your water supply at the valve located near the water meter. You should set the thermostat on your furnace to no lower than 55 degrees. You should also call RPU with the dates you will be gone and leave a name and phone number of a person in the area who would know how to reach you in case of a utility emergency at your home.