As winter approaches, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities is advising residents to take steps to protect water pipes from freezing temperatures. The utility warns that unprotected indoor plumbing and outdoor irrigation systems can suffer cracks or breaks when water freezes, potentially leading to flooding and costly repairs.
Customers with separate irrigation system meters are urged to be especially cautious. “The best practice is to request a winter pause on your irrigation meter from CityLink as soon as you no longer need it. This prevents potential system failure and damage from freezing. There will be a $30 turn-on fee to resume irrigation meter service in the spring, but readiness-to-serve fees will not be charged while your meter is off,” according to the announcement.
Residents using the newer WaterSavvy smart meters are reminded not to open the meter box themselves. “Unlike the old analog meters, customers should never open the meter box because the communication device can be easily broken. Your new WaterSavvy smart meter is a high-tech piece of equipment and meter box access is restricted to staff, licensed plumbers & utility contractors. You can face substantial charges for tampering with any component of the water system, including meters and fire hydrants,” states Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities.
To minimize risks inside homes or businesses, property owners are advised to know where their main water supply shut-off valve is located in case of pipe breaks. Other recommended precautions include insulating water heaters, pipes, and faucets—especially those in unheated areas—and disconnecting and draining outdoor hoses. During periods of extreme cold, letting faucets trickle slowly may help prevent freezing.
While Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities cannot perform repairs on private property, customers may contact CityLink at 363-727-8000 for emergency water shut-offs. Additional information is available through a video at youtu.be/hBHUd2R57Cc and online resources at cityofws.org/2626/Prevent-Frozen-Pipes or cityofws.org/citylink.
The City of Winston-Salem serves its community by overseeing public services such as utilities management—including water treatment plants capable of processing up to 91 million gallons daily—as well as maintaining extensive infrastructure like water mains and sewer lines (https://www.cityofws.org/). Operating under a council-mayor government structure, the city provides essential services within its North Carolina boundaries (https://www.cityofws.org/).
