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 Department to Start Hydrant and Waterline Flushing Wednesday

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Knox Water Department will begin flushing waterlines and fire hydrants tomorrow morning.

Knox Water Superintendent Todd Garner said this procedure is performed to test the working order of the fire hydrants and to keep the water mains clean. Gardner said the work will be done during the day and should be completed, at the latest, by Tuesday of next week.

Keep an eye out for Knox Water Department crews while driving around town this week.

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 →

Continue Running Faucets; Frost Level Still Problematic

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The temperature is above freezing, bringing welcome relief from this winter’s bitter cold temperatures, but local water and clerk-treasurer departments continue to urge area residents to keep the faucets running. The frost is still settling in, according to officials at the Knox Water Department, and while the ground may start feeling warm on top, the frost is still present below the surface.

Continue reading →

Knox Water Superintendent: Check for Water Leaks

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner has notified WKVI that the latest statistics show that there is a larger-than-normal water consumption within the city’s residential and business districts.

Gardner believes that the 30% increase could be a combination of many small leaks that may have occurred in the extreme cold temperatures last week.

Gardner is asking residents to check in basements and crawl spaces to locate leaks. He notes that a leak that is the size of pencil lead can add up to over 500 gallons a day and will not affect the pressure of a faucet.

For more information, call the Knox Water Department at 772-4461.

Knox Water Woes Brought Before Board of Public Works

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Board of Public Works
Knox Board of Public Works

A proposal by the Knox water department superintendent will soon go to the council, after superintendent Todd Gardner told the Knox Board of Public Works that the water line going down State Road 8 east of the city is providing limited water to the area. With the upcoming construction of the new Starke County Jail facility near the intersection of State Road 8 and County Road 550 East, he said it’s imperative that the line be improved to ensure proper water service for that area.

Continue reading →

Knox Mayor Names New Water Superintendent

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers has announced the employment of a new Water Superintendent for the city. Todd Gardner has been chosen and he has been the maintenance man for the LaVille School for the past five years and before that he was employed in the Maintenance Department at Ancilla College. He replaces Gordon Burger who has retired from the position. He has all of the proper licenses.

Continue reading →