Aquarion Water Company: 

With winter’s severe weather and cold temperatures blanketing the region, Aquarion Water Company is encouraging customers to take steps to avoid the damage, cost, and inconvenience that comes with a burst water pipe or a damaged water meter. 

Property owners are responsible for protecting their water pipes and water meter, whether interior or exterior, from cold temperatures.  Aquarion suggests customers follow a few simple tips to keep the water safely flowing all winter long:

• Check water pipes near uninsulated or drafty walls, doors, floors and windows, including in your basement, garage or attic. Add insulation wherever you can.

• Keep all doors and windows tightly closed.

• Fill cracks in walls and openings around doors and windows. Insulating or wrapping pipes can also help.

• Locate the main water shut-off valve to your home and show all household members how to turn it off in the event of a burst pipe.

• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes along outside walls.

• In extreme cold, let faucets drip.

• If your water meter is in an outdoor pit, check to see that the pit cover fits properly and has no cracks through which cold air can flow.

• Never use a torch or open flame to thaw a pipe.

Customers who see or suspect damage to water pipes should call a licensed plumber for assistance.  In the event of a frozen or damaged water meter customers should call Aquarion’s Customer Care Center at (800) 732-9678.  For additional information, customers can visit www.aquarionwater.com/frozenpipes.

“A burst pipe or damaged water meter can be a costly inconvenience,” said John Walsh, Aquarion's Vice President of Operations & Utility Innovation.  “We encourage customers to avoid the clean-up and repairs that come with a burst water pipe by taking steps before the problem occurs.”