The Town of Collingwood is continuing to help restore running water to over 100 homes.
As of Thursday morning, the town has received 172 reports of frozen water lines; 121 of those have occurred since Friday. While public utilities crews have made 71 temporary connections, there are still 101 homes and businesses without running water.
It's been equally as stressful for businesses. Steve Amis had to close his restaurant for three days, but now has a 300 foot heated temporary line running from a neighbouring store into his Subway Restaurant. He’s had the shop for 25 years and has never dealt with something like this.
"Hydro goes out sometimes, we had that long power outage in 2002, 2003, but you always count on water being there,” he says. “This is the first time I can remember not having water."
It's been a challenging week for Micheline Denbok as well. She's doing everything possible to avoid closing her salon, that includes washing client’s hair using jugs of water brought from her house.
"Stressful, it's very stressful, trying to keep a smile on my face and trying keep the cheer in my salon,” she says.
The town says crews are currently working on restoring water flow to remaining customers, but add temporary connections are being made on a first come first serve basis.
Residents who suspect their pipes are frozen and are unable to thaw them are being asked to follow a checklist before contacting the town. You can find that checklist on the Collingwood Public Utilities website.
Freezing pipes are also proving to be problematic in Owen Sound. The city’s water department is receiving reports of frozen lines in locations that have never had the problem before.
To help these residents, the city is providing running water at several locations around the municipality. Residents can visit the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre, the Harry Lumley Bayshore and The Water Depot.
The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce has also offered up their showers for residents.
