The Township is committed to working to achieve our goals to promote awareness and improve safety. Below, you will find some helpful information to guide you through the winter season.
On this page:
Frozen Water Pipes
Due to ongoing cold temperatures, it is possible for poorly insulated or shallow water services to freeze. Champlain Township is reminding municipal water users to take voluntary measures to minimize the chances of experiencing frozen water pipes.
Did you know? As the weather gets milder, frost can potentially be driven deeper, putting your pipes at increased risk of freezing!
What to do in case of frozen pipes |
Contact a PlumberContact a licensed plumber with thawing equipment immediately. Residents are reminded that all underground water and sewer services on private property to the lot line are the responsibility of the property owner. When to Call Champlain TownshipIf the plumber onsite is unable to thaw your water service with their equipment, you can contact the Township to determine the next course of action. Call the Public Works Department during regular business hours at 613-678-2125 ext. 225. Additional TipsWhile you are without tap water: in addition to obtaining bottled drinking water, consider bringing in buckets of water from neighbours to use for flushing. Melting buckets of snow however is not safe for drinking or bathing, it can be used to flush toilets. Once your water service is thawed, keep constant quarter inch stream of water flowing from a cold water tap until the end of the winter season. |
Preventative Tips |
Winterize Outside FaucetsProperly drain all outside pipes/hose faucets using shut off valves to bleed out water that may remain in the line. Look for Cold Drafts or Insulate pipesLook around the home or building for areas that may be vulnerable due to a lack of insulation or heating such as basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces. The water lines servicing or running through these areas are at risk and should be insulated to avoid freezing. There are several products available that can be used to help avoid the freezing of pipes, which should be handled by a plumbing professional to ensure efficiency and safety. Consider Leaving Your Water RunningAs previously mentioned, keep constant quarter inch stream of water flowing from a cold water tap until the end of the winter season. Be Prepared When TravellingLeaving during winter? Keep your thermostat at 15 degrees Celsius or higher, and have someone check your house every day. Be PreparedEmergency Management Ontario suggests that each household has at the ready, four litres of fresh water, per person, per day for drinking and bathing. |
Driveway Winter Maintenance
Clearing the area to the right of your driveway (as seen in the diagram below “CLEAR AREA”), gives the snow on the plow blade a place to go and this should help to reduce the amount of snow that is deposited back into the end of your driveway.
The Township of Champlain would also like to remind you that as per By-Law 2001-29 section 2(d);
No person shall, unless otherwise authorized by the provisions of this or any other by-law of the Corporation, throw, place or deposit, or permit to be thrown, placed or deposited, snow and/or ice on any highway, sidewalk, bridge or ditch.
Mailbox Winter Maintenance
During winter operations, snow ploughing vehicles or the pushing of snow may result in the damage of mailboxes located on municipal roads. Mailboxes are considered an obstruction on municipal roads and are permitted as a convenience since Canada Post rural delivery service will not enter within private driveways. As such, the Township of Champlain Road Department employees and contractors will attempt to avoid any destruction or damages to private mailboxes, however, will not be responsible for the replacement, installation, or reimbursement of costs for damages to mail boxes.
Residents are advised to ensure the proper location and rigid construction of their mail boxes to avoid any inconvenience.
Except from Schedule B (section 4.2.4) of By-Law 2019-54, being a by-law to establish road maintenance standards and road classifications for highways within the jurisdiction of the Township of Champlain.
Snowplow Safety
Snowplow have large blind spots. If you cannot see the snowplow driver's reflection in his side mirror, you are in the snowplow driver's blind spot and they cannot see you. Please, drive safely.
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