While the cold days of the past few weeks have frozen several pipes in Montreal, a resident is forced to melt snow to get drinking water.
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“I’m 71, I was born in Montreal, I never thought I would melt snow to get water,” says Odette Plante indignantly.
The septuagenarian has had no water for six days now because of the frost. And she is not alone in this situation. Some 84 homes are currently without water in the metropolis because the pipes are frozen.
“I don’t have a toilet, I don’t have a shower, I don’t have a washing machine… There’s no water at all!” deplores Ms. Plante.
However, the City carried out work in 2019 to change the lead pipes to copper ones.
“It’s a total mess! It’s never frozen before. I have been here since 1986,” says Odette Plante.
For the City, unfreezing the pipes so that the lives of affected citizens return to normal is a priority.
“The material of the pipe absolutely does not matter when it comes to having frozen pipes,” insists Philippe Sabourin, spokesperson for the City of Montreal.
Like last year, 1,000 homes were without water due to frozen pipes.
“Our pipes should be 1.8 meters deep. If it’s not 1.8 meters away, our contractors will add a film, a layer of insulation, to protect the pipe,” explains Mr. Sabourin.
However, to thaw the pipes, the City’s blue collar workers must use steam.
“The type of soil we have in Montreal means that the pipes may freeze more easily than elsewhere,” notes Philippe Sabourin.
Meanwhile, residents like Odette Plante have to be patient.
“I’m angry, I’m worried and I’m very sad to see that”, regrets the lady.