Star Journal

The Rhinelander Water and Wastewater Utility will allow city utility customers who have in the past experienced frozen water and sewer lines to begin running water as soon as Friday, Feb. 8, or when advance approval is given. The winter season will again start with limited customers authorized to run their water until such time conditions would require more customers to do so.

When a location is approved, running water will generally be provided 24 hours a day, in a stream the diameter of a pencil lead, flowing from one fixture per property in order to protect the utility lines from freezing. A pencil-lead stream flow rate can be checked by filling a 12-ounce volume container in approximately one minute of time.

According to the press release, the city’s goal is to run water at limited rates and to control the overall expense, that all utility customers ultimately share, to keep the utility systems flowing properly.

The starting list of approved customers is posted at city hall, 135 S. Stevens St. and on the city website. A customer may also request their water to run by contacting the water utility at 715-365-8600, ext. 1.