Residents in the City of Cedar Springs might have more to worry about than frozen pipes this winter. Water service lines have also been freezing around town.

According to Cedar Springs Department of Public Works Director Tom Stressman, several residents have had a problem with their water lines freezing. “The frost line has just gone so deep this year,” said Stressman. “I can only remember one other year where we had any water lines freeze, and this year we’ve had eight or nine.”

He said they have occurred at random around town, and that all the instances have been on the city’s side of the curb. As of Wednesday, there was one home where they had been working on unthawing the line for two days.

Stressman recommends that residents let the water run in their home in a stream the size of a toothpick to ensure uninterrupted water service. The City will not, however, reimburse the homeowner for the water used.

If a water line does freeze, and it is frozen from the shut off valve in the yard to the water main, DPW personnel will thaw the line at no charge. Maintenance from the shut off valve to the home is the responsibility of the homeowner.

If you have a frozen water service line, call City Hall at (616) 696-1330.