Left, Village of Whiting Clerk Debi Lutz and President Paul Stroik. (City-Times photo)

City-Times Staff

The Village of Whiting has been experiencing numerous water service freeze-ups, and officials are asking residents to start running a small stream of tap water until further notice.

Village President Paul Stroik said residents should run a “pencil lead- size stream” of water from one household faucet nonstop until further notice. The running water, he said, will help prevent water lines in the village from freezing, which in turn could force a pipe to burst.

“In some areas of the village the frost depths have reached 5-6 feet which are at the same depth as many of the water lines,” Stroik said in an email Wednesday night. “Water lines running under or across roads such as McDill Ave., Post Road, Sherman Ave., Tommy’s Turnpike and Elm St. are especially vulnerable to freezing up. Utilities personnel have been and will continue to notify residents and business owners in the areas most susceptible to freezing laterals.”

Stroik also said village residents will not have to pay for the additional water usage.

“Your utility bill will be adjusted to reflect historical average consumptions. At this time we are anticipating that water line freezing concerns may continue for at least another month,” Stroik said.

Questions or concerns should be directed to the village utilities staff at 715.572.9434 or the village clerk’s office at 715.341.2742.