News Release

GREENWOOD – Indiana American Water is preparing for a forecasted snowstorm and freezing wintry mix this weekend. The company has initiated readiness efforts to mitigate potential impacts on its water and wastewater plants and distribution systems.

“We are committed to providing safe and reliable water service to our customers, even through extreme weather conditions,” said Kari Britto, vice president of operations for Indiana American Water. “Our team of experts is highly trained on emergency preparedness, response and management and is ready to handle any service disruptions that may come our way.”

As part of the company’s readiness efforts, operations personnel have tested and fueled generators, vehicles and fuel storage tanks, secured additional water treatment chemicals, prepared wastewater treatment plants for increased flows, and updated staffing plans to help with response efforts.

“Customers should also prepare for extreme conditions this weekend by taking the following precautions before, during and after the snowstorm to stay informed, stay safe and protect vulnerable areas of their homes,” said Britto.

Before The Storm

Update your emergency contact information and preferences in your MyWater account. The company uses this information to contact customers about any service impact.

Locate your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off at once.

Protect your pipes and water meter. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or use electrical heat tracing wire; newspaper or fabric might also work. For outside meters, keep the lid to the meter pit closed tightly and let any snow that falls cover it. Snow acts as insulation, so don’t disturb it.

Make an emergency plan. Visit www.ready.gov/plan to get started. Gather supplies, including nonperishable foods, cleaning supplies and water, in case services are cut off in your area.

During The Storm

Stay home and off the roads during times of high winds and heavy snowfall.
If you have pipes that are vulnerable to freezing, allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost of repairing a broken pipe.

Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.

If Your Pipes Freeze

Shut off the water at once. Don’t try to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.
Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended.

Do not use kerosene heaters or open flames to thaw pipes inside your home.

Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.

After The Storm

Clear snow and ice from fire hydrants and clear a path from the hydrant to the street so firefighters can connect their equipment without delays in case of emergency.

Shovel snow from driveways and sidewalks before it turns to ice and use road salt only in areas needed for safety after snow has been cleared.
If temperatures fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, road salt becomes less effective. Consider using alternatives like sand or native birdseed to build traction.

Indiana American Water also advises that subfreezing temperatures can hasten aging water mains to break and cause unsafe driving conditions. If you see a leak or your water service is disrupted, report an emergency online at emergency.amwater.com. Additionally, continue to check the company’s alerts page and Customer Advisory Map for any disruptions that could be impacting your area.

For more cold weather protection tips, visit http://www.indianaamwater.com.