As a result of the deep frost penetration this past winter, a large number of Bismarck water customers experienced water service line freeze-ups that stopped their service. Customers hired local contractors with specialized equipment to thaw their service lines and restore service. The cost of thawing lines to restore service has been burdensome to many residents.
On April 8, 2014, the Bismarck City Commission considered and approved a proposal to reimburse costs for thawing frozen service lines. Highlights of the two-part proposal that was approved are as follows:
• The City would cover up to half the cost to thaw the service line, and would make this retroactive back to the 1st of the year. It would also cap the cost which the City would help recover which would be up to $1,000.00 maximum per property.
• The homeowner would be responsible to get the service line thawed and then turn in their receipts for the work.• This action will cover thawing any portion of the water service line, both on private property or in the right-of-way. It will not cover the cost of thawing pipes that are on the customer’s side of the water meter.
• This action to cost share service line thawing is not covered under the City’s service line repair policy and will be paid from separate water utility funds so as to not put an additional burden on the service line repair reserve fund.• Claims must be submitted before July 1, 2014 and be for work completed no earlier than December 2013.
For more information and details about cost sharing and reimbursement visit the link included below.