The Knox Board of Public Works did not have a quorum but heard reports from department heads on issues Wednesday morning.
Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner said about 50 percent of the frozen pipes reported have been thawed and they’re working on more as the days go by. The first section of pipes to freeze was along Spruce Drive and all but one person has water flowing to the residence.
Gardner explained that there are some residents who refuse to let water drip from faucets and the crews keep going to the same homes with the same problems. Gardner suggested a review of the ordinance to increase fees for return visits to encourage residents to heed recommendations by the water department to prevent expensive repairs. He said there is one residence that they have returned to five times and the current $5 return visit fee in the ordinance isn’t enough to cover the cost and time of the employee returning for services.
It is still recommended that residents keep a pencil lead-sized stream from the faucet. The frost level is at four feet which still has the capability to freeze pipes.
Mayor Chambers agreed and asked that a policy be put into place in the near future concerning taking care of customers and frozen pipes. The water department will also set times when they can go out and turn a resident’s water on after paying a bill.
