This is an important notification from Illinois American Water. With the extreme cold we are experiencing, we want to remind customers to take necessary measures to prevent frozen water pipes and meters. Be sure you know where your main water shut-off is located and label it for others. Protect your property by wrapping exposed pipes with insulation and eliminate sources of cold air near any water lines. We also recommend allowing a small stream of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. Collect this water for uses such as watering indoor plants or for pets. The cost of keeping a small stream of water running is very minimal compared to repairing the damage from burst water pipes. If your pipes do freeze, shut off water immediately at your main shut off. Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. To thaw pipes, warm the air around the pipe with a hair dryer, or space heater. DO NOT USE kerosene heaters, a torch or an open flame and do not leave space heaters unattended. Please be safe, and for more tips on preventing frozen pipes, please go to Illinoisamwater.com.
