Service Interruptions and Emergencies

Disasters can strike at any time in any community, thus it is wise to take the necessary precautions to be prepared.

• A good rule of thumb is to store one gallon (3.78 litres) of water per person per day for 3 days
• As long as the disinfected municipal tap water is stored in a clean, airtight container and in a cool location, the water should remain safe indefinitely
• As a general rule however, it is recommended to change the emergency water supply at least once every six months

• If there's an emergency, you will need to know this information ahead of time. You can't afford to waste precious time searching while the basement floods or the carpets are drenched.
• Most common locations for the master valve are where the main water pipe enters your home, near the washing machine hook-up or near your water heater. Best to check and make certain you and your family know where it is!

Insulate your inside pipes - look for pipes on an outside wall in your attic, crawl space or garage

• Insulate your outside water pipes with specially designed foam pipe covers or heating tape available from most hardware stores
• Heat your crawl space
• Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate
• In extreme cold weather consider leaving a tap open enough to allow a stream of water to flow
• Know where your main shut off is located in case of an emergency

 
Leaving for the winter?  

• If you are on municipal services, consider having your service shut off at the street and your lines drained
• If you are on privates services, arrange for a plumber to winterize your dwelling
• Keep your thermostat set at 15 degrees Celsius or higher

Pipes Already Frozen? 

• If you suspect your pipes are frozen, try using a hair dryer directed where your line enters the home - never use an open flame or torch
• Call a plumber, it may take a professional to determine where it is frozen and a thawing machine may be needed
• Once it is thawed, leave a tap running

Municipal Services Frozen? 

• A plumber can determine if the line is frozen on the municipal side and notify the District of Muskoka Water and Wastewater field staff
• 24/7 contact information is available - see below