Why do water service laterals freeze, aren’t our pipes buried deep enough?

There are 3 main factors which contribute to freezing of a water service lateral – Frost Depth, Water Usage, and Exposure to Weather.


A. Frost Depth - “Normal” maximum frost depths in our region are 4 to 6 feet. In paved areas or other areas where snow is removed frost can drive down deeper. As the frost level goes down it approaches and, in extremely cold winters, can reach near the depth of water service laterals. In older parts of the Utility’s service area water mains and service laterals may only be between 6 and 7 feet deep. In areas of newer construction water mains and service laterals should be 7 feet deep or more. Think of frost as simply a block of ice in the ground which grows larger and larger from the ground surface downward. If the block of ice touches or surrounds a water service lateral, the lateral will freeze without water running through it. Frost depth is the most important factor in causing water service laterals to freeze underground.

B. Water Usage – This applies to both the water mains and the water service lateral itself. Lower usage is going to mean the water stays in the pipes longer. If water usage in the mains is lower the water gets colder. If water usage on a lateral is very low or even stops (such as when a resident goes on vacation) the water in the lateral will become even colder and, if the frost is deep enough, the lateral freezes. Customers with low usage (single occupant homes for example), businesses with long periods of no water usage on weekends, homes unoccupied during vacation periods, etc., are going to be much more likely to freeze during these cold weather periods.

C. Exposure to Weather – There are 2 ways municipal water supply temperature can be affected by the air temperature. Your service lateral may be exposed to drafts or cold air near where it enters your building. The other “exposure” is from water being stored in elevated water towers where it cools (or warms) during the time it stays in the tank. Most water towers in our region will develop ice along the tank walls during a winter season, but the majority of water remains liquid due to the daily filling and usage cycle.

There are a number of water service laterals which are known to routinely freeze each year. Some of those freeze on the customer’s portion of the water service lateral and some on the Utility’s portion of the lateral. The Utility is required to annually notify those customers whose service laterals freeze on their portion to either take measures to prevent freezing or, at their option, pay for thawing the service lateral if it freezes. If the freezing is something known to occur on the Utility portion of the water service lateral, the Utility either takes measures to prevent freezing or takes care of any costs to prevent freezing. You may also wish to review the PSC’s FAQ on this topic.

Show All Answers

1. Why do water service laterals freeze, aren’t our pipes buried deep enough?
2. Is there anything I can do to prevent my water service lateral from freezing?
3. If I need to run water for freeze protection, which faucet should I run?
4. Is there any way to tell if my water service lateral is about to freeze?
5. I noticed the signs that my water service lateral might be freezing, what should I do?
6. Who is responsible for thawing a frozen water service lateral?
7. How will I know whether to start or stop running water for freeze prevention?
8. Why doesn’t the Utility just notify everyone to run water to prevent service lateral freeze-ups?
9. My water service lateral has frozen, what do I do?
10. My neighbor’s water service lateral has frozen. I don’t have any problems, but the Utility still wants access to my home. Why?
11. I have been told my water service lateral is non-metallic (i.e. plastic), how can my lateral be thawed?
12. If my water service lateral has frozen, isn’t the Utility obligated to restore my water service in a specific time?
13. I reside in a mobile home park, am I supposed to run water for freeze protection?
14. I live in a rural part of the Village and have a private well for my water and a private septic system for wastewater. Am I supposed to run water?