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. Current frost depth is 48” as of February 12, 2018.

RPU water customers are urged 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 36 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 48 inches in Rochester and Olmsted County. 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- $1,500. 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 53,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 39,000.  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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