As the frost level in the ground nears four feet deep in city streets, the City of Lander advises residents to take proactive measures to prevent frozen pipes.
To assist residential customers, the City has temporarily increased the water base rate allowance. Customers with a 5/8″ meter will receive an additional 2,000 gallons of water per billing period, in addition to the standard 4,000-gallon base rate—a total of 6,000 gallons at no extra charge. This allowance does not apply to trailer parks or apartment complexes served by master meters without individual billing. February bills will reflect this adjustment.
What Should Residents Do?
If your property is in an area prone to freezing or if you’ve experienced freezing pipes in the past, consider the following steps:
- Run a small stream of water (the size of a pencil lead) from the sink farthest from your water meter. This is usually sufficient to prevent freezing.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners or chemicals out of reach of children and pets.
- Run water periodically from faucets located along exterior walls or in infrequently used spaces to keep water moving throughout your plumbing system.
The City will notify the public when it is safe to stop running water.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining their water service lines up to the connection within the street. The City’s water supply, sourced from the Middle Fork of the
Popo Agie River, remains near freezing temperatures, making shallow or unprotected pipes particularly vulnerable to freezing.
For additional questions, please contact City Hall at (307) 332-2870.