Cold Weather Preparation Tips from Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Today is officially the first day of winter and as temperatures are expected to dip below freezing in the coming weeks, home owners need to take necessary precautions to avoid frozen pipes.

Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner has a few helpful tips to help protect homes this winter season. Superintendent Gardner reported that most incidents happen at the beginning of the season since people don’t take these simple steps before cold weather hits.

His first tip is to be sure that all hoses are disconnected and outdoor faucets are turned off. He said even “frost-free” faucets can freeze and break if they’re not disconnected and completely switched off. He also stressed the importance of making sure that crawlspace doors and other openings are securely shut to keep drafts from entering the home and cooling the water pipes. Continue reading →

Knox Water Superintendent Provides Tips for Winter

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner has a few helpful tips for citizens as temperatures start to drop below freezing.

Gardner advises individuals to disconnect hoses from faucets so they can drain. He said a “frost free faucet” will freeze up and can break at temperatures just below freezing if a hose is left attached to it.

He also explained that homes with crawl spaces need to have those closed up as securely as possible. If crawlspace vents have louvers, or slats, they need to be closed up for the winter season. Continue reading →

Knox Water Superintendent Announces Completion of Brown Circle Waterline Project

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Knox Water Department cutting road to install new 6″ ductile iron waterline to replace the 4″ galvanized waterline

Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner announced a milestone in the Brown Circle Waterline Project when the Knox City Council met Tuesday evening.

Gardner told the council members that all the houses that had been hooked up to the old waterline in the area of Brown Circle, were switched over to the new waterline Tuesday, allowing the water department to switch off the outdated system. Three new fire hydrants were also installed as a part of the project. Gardner said when everything was complete, 33 homes were hooked up to the new system.

The Brown Circle Waterline Project was tackled as a preventative measure since the waterline system that was installed in the area in the 1940s was constructed of steel galvanized pipes that had a lifespan of only 40-45 years. The pipes in place were pushing more than 70 years of use and were tangled under residences and yards. Continue reading →