Frozen water pipes cost City of Greater Sudbury $2.9 million in 2015
Infastructure general manager says full effect of frozen pipes won't be seen for some time
Last winter's frigid temperatures will continue to cost Sudbury taxpayers.
City council received a report at Tuesday night's council meeting showing the combined costs of repairing water mains and thawing water lines was $3 million over-budget.
The city has spent $1.8 million fixing water main breaks and $1.1 million to thaw water lines to homes and business in 2015.
"The frozen conditions this winter have caused extensive damage to our infrastructure systems," said Tony Cecutti, Sudbury's infrastructure general manager. "We probably won't fully realize the extent of that damage for quite some time."
The bill will be paid with the city's reserve funds, and there should be enough to fully cover the cost. But the bill might grow as contractors continue presenting bills for assisting with the repairs. Cecutti said an exact report will be presented to council next month.
Hundreds of homes in Sudbury lacked access to running water during February and March, prompting emergency conditions. The city opened shower facilities for residents without water and long wait lists forced several residents to go without for several weeks.