Residents in Yellowknife, Ndılǫ, and Dettah are currently facing challenges with frozen pipes following a significant power outage last Thursday. The NWT Power Corporation initially noted that wildlife interference caused the outage. However, they later confirmed it was due to a failed electrical connection at the Jackfish Lake substation. This incident left many homes without power for about four hours while temperatures plummeted below -20°C.
Impact of Power Outage on Water Supply
The extreme cold resulted in frozen water lines for numerous residents. Artist Alison McCreesh expressed her frustration after waking up to no running water on Friday. To cope, her family resorted to collecting water from neighbors, utilizing community facilities for bathing, and washing dishes in a bucket.
Community Response
As the situation unfolded, McCreesh acknowledged the inconvenience but emphasized that it was manageable. She also pointed out that her home had never experienced such a problem in the ten years they lived there, despite facing freezing conditions in the past.
- Alison McCreesh: Experienced first-time frozen water intake line.
- Community efforts: Neighbors and local resources helped those affected.
Local Businesses Step In
Jody Poitras from Pick’s Steam reported high demand for their thawing services. By Friday afternoon, they received calls from approximately 73 homes and 10 commercial properties needing assistance. As of Monday, they had managed to help 49 homes and the same number of commercial establishments.
Unprecedented Demand
Poitras indicated the volume of requests was far above the typical two applications per week they handle between October and December. She noted that the last similar situation occurred years ago, resulting in prolonged service delays.
Risks of Frozen Water Lines
Frozen water lines pose risks not only of disruption but also of potential damage. Older homes with thin or smaller lines are particularly susceptible to splitting. Poitras warned that half-inch lines often face the highest risk due to deterioration over time.
Prevention Tips for Homeowners
To mitigate the risk of frozen pipes during outages, homeowners can follow these helpful practices:
- Alternate between turning off the supply and return line while running water for 15 minutes.
- Immediately start the process if power goes out in cold conditions.
- Ensure proper insulation for water lines beneath homes.
By sharing insights and preventative measures, residents can better prepare for unforeseen outages and minimize potential disruptions to their water supply. El-Balad encourages the Yellowknife community to stay informed and vigilant about their home plumbing during power outages.
