Temperatures reached -12 degrees this morning, and unlike the last cold snap, this wave has brought with it the threat of frozen pipes. Until Feb. 14, the City of Rhinelander Water Department had only performed two pipe thaws. Since Saturday, they’ve done six. And they’re doing another today.

Tom Roeser, water superintendent, said the frost depth was five feet at a water break they handled on Hemlock Street earlier this week. That bodes ill for an infrastructure that lays pipes at five to six feet.

Roeser said he was surprised how many thaws they’ve had to do, but has been expecting the number to pick up. From here it will only get worse. He said he expects around 20 thaws over the next week. With temperatures forecast in the negatives throughout the week, people should be aware of the possibility.

Those on the City’s ‘running water’ list, a list of areas that are more likely to experience freezes, should follow the City’s guidelines during this cold period. That list can be found of the City of Rhinelander website.