City issues notice on running water

"City of Rhinelander utility customers who have experienced problems with water and sewer lines freezing should start running water at their property if the property address is approved to do so," city officials said in a press release issued by the water and wastewater utility Friday afternoon.
"Starting Feb 1, 2026, only the property addresses on the authorized list are approved to run water. The City Utility will adjust the billing of utility usage according to the start date of Feb 1, 2026."
According to the release, approved properties are authorized to run water 24 hours a day in a stream the diameter of a pencil-lead using cold water from one fixture per property, to better protect utility lines from freezing. A pencil lead stream flow rate can be checked by filling a 12-ounce container volume in approximately one minute of
time.  Special cases of water only customers and other special circumstances requiring greater flow rates are also approved and authorized to run water as directed in the past.
The starting list of utility customers authorized to run water is posted at City Hall (135 S Stevens Street) and is posted under “Resident Resources” on the City’s website (http://www.rhinelanderwi.us).  The
authorized run water list will be periodically amended with new locations when frost conditions in the
City require additions of other approved customers, the release notes. The City of Rhinelander Utility Department will provide further instructions with an end date as frost levels subside along with when the approved run water credit will end.