Minn. City Tells Residents To Let Water Run Lest Pipes Freeze

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Officials in a northern Minnesota city are telling residents to keep their water running until April if the temperature of the water coming out of the faucet is close to freezing.

Officials in Blackduck, which is about 240 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, say this winter's extremely cold temperatures are causing problems for city workers who have to deal with frozen service lines.

In order to keep things flowing smoothly, officials are asking residents to periodically check the temperature of the water coming from their faucets. If the temperature is below 34 degrees, it's recommended that customers let a faucet run at a stream "the size of a pencil" continuously until April 1 or whenever the water temperature reaches higher than 35 degrees.

Residents will not be charged for the extra water used, officials say.

If residents begin running their water, they are required to report it by calling Blackduck City Hall at 218-835-4803.

Annandale, a city west of the Twin Cities, is also telling residents with near-freezing water to keep their faucets running.