KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Health officials say it may be a good idea to check on elderly neighbors who may be trying to save a few dollars by turning their thermostats down. They are more susceptible to cold because of their age, and sometimes because of the prescription drugs they take.
The effects of the cold can be cumulative on its victims, and National Weather Service Meteorologist Bruce Sullivan says we are going to get a chance to test that notion…because they are projecting a deep freeze for the next week to ten days , which is just about as far out as they can reliably predict.
The intense cold has prompted the city of Kalamazoo to issue an advisory to water utility customers to begin running a trickle of water, and continue the practice through March.
They say particularly if the customers have had frozen pipes in the past.
Here are some of the symptoms to tip off your system may be at risk:
They say a slight decrease in water pressure, water that is cloudy or rusty, or tap water that is extremely cold, colder than 35-degrees.
They say a steady thin stream in one tub or sink will keep the lines from freezing between the house and the street.
They say if your line does freeze, it could take the city utility three weeks to respond with the special equipment it takes to thaw out the pipes. ‘
No word if you will be charged for all that water.
