All RPU customers urged to monitor the temperature of their water
Media Contact
Tony Benson, Communications Coordinator
Direct: 507-280-1534 | E-mail: tbenson@rpu.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
All RPU customers urged to monitor the temperature of their water
February 10, 2021 – ROCHESTER, MN – Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) is starting to hear from customers that are concerned about their water service freezing this winter. Current frost depth is 38” as of February 9th.
RPU advises these water customers to take the temperature of their water and then continue monitoring it until the frost is out of the ground. This is especially important for customers that have experienced froze water services in the past. Run an inside cold tap and hold a thermometer in the stream for 10-20 seconds for an accurate reading. If your water temperature gets below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, you should immediately start running a continuous pencil-width stream of water from a faucet.
Currently, MN DOT is recording the frost depth at 38 inches in Rochester and Olmsted County. Service lines are typically buried six feet (72”) or more below the ground from the street to the house. Thawing a frozen water service can cost $800- $1,500. The cost to run a constant pencil-width stream of water is approximately $60- $100 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 56,000 customers. Water customers number more than 40,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include photovoltaic offerings, wind energy, energy and water efficient equipment, and electric vehicle charging.
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