Protect Your Water Service from Freezing

Published on February 13, 2025

Due to the extreme frost conditions in the metro area this season, the City of Fridley wants to alert residents to the possibility of water services freezing. Thawing frozen service lines and plumbing can be costly to property owners. 

The City of Fridley has sent notice to properties that are known to have issue with freezing in the past. Homes that use water less frequently are more susceptible to frozen services. To avoid having a frozen service, residents are encouraged to let cold water run from one faucet throughout the day and night. The amount of running water should be a little more than a trickle (the thickness of a pencil). While the City cannot credit you for the water that you run, this could help avoid a large repair bill.

If you have discolored water, your water service may freeze soon.  Run water immediately and contact Public Works at 763-572-3566 if you feel your service may have frozen.

You can measure the temperature of your water after running a faucet until it is cold. If you find it to be 35 degrees or colder, you should run water continuously to avoid a frozen water service.

Please read the following advice on how to avoid frozen water pipes and what to do if your pipes do freeze.

What to do to avoid frozen water pipes faucet

Let the cold water run from one faucet throughout the day and night. The amount of running water should be a little more than a "trickle" (water should flow out of the faucet at a rate equivalent to the size of a pencil width). Running a small stream of water using roughly 100 gallons per day equates to roughly $10 per month in sewer and water charges. This small cost can be considered as insurance to avoid the inconvenience and costs of correcting a frozen service line. The City recommends running water until April. Even as the weather warms up, the frost table is pushed lower, so the risk of frozen service lines could continue for several weeks.

What to do if your pipes are frozen

Call the City of Fridley Public Work at 763-572-3566 (6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) or Anoka County Dispatch at 763-427-1212 (after hours and weekends). City staff can provide information to you on contractors known to be working in the area thawing frozen services.