Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

All RPU customers urged to monitor the temperature of their water

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) is starting to hear from customers that are experiencing frozen water service lines this winter.

 

Every RPU water customers is urged to take the temperature of their water and then continue monitoring it for the next two months. If your water temperature gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you should immediately start running a continuous pencil-width stream of water from a faucet. A limited amount of thermometers are available at the RPU service center to use during this time.

 

Currently, MN DOT is recording the frost depth at 40-44 inches. Last winter, frost depths of nearly six feet were recorded, which was much deeper than recorded levels over the past 20-30 years. Service lines are typically buried six feet or more below the ground from the street to the house. A frozen water service repair can cost between $800- $1,000. The cost to run a constant pencil-width stream of water is approximately $40- $60 per month including sewer fees. If you are going to be letting your water run, please contact RPU at 507.280.1500.

 

All businesses and residence types could be affected. The age of your home does not matter.

 

View Rochester’s real-time frost level graph at www.rpu.org. For more information, please contact Tony Benson at 507-280-1534 or email at tbenson@rpu.org.

 

 

About Rochester Public Utilities

 

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 50,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 37,000.  RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive.  Current initiatives include fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

 

 

 

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