Commission approves purchase of de-icer; twenty five customers have frozen lines

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

It garnered the most discussion at the March 19, Onaway City Commission meeting, and it had nothing to do with sharing the manager with Rogers City. The topic was frozen lines.

The city decided to purchase a pipe-thawing machine at a cost of $2,641.

Unfortunately, because there is such a need, and there was a truckers’ strike, it would not be available for use until next winter.

Magikist manufactures a pulse jet de-icer, which is advertised as safe and effective. “It is currently being used with great success by hundreds of municipalities,” the company’s Web site states.

The debate revolved around the severity of the winter and the fact that it could be the coldest in more than 100 years, and once purchased, could it sit in a corner and collect dust for a decade or two before getting used again?

Ultimately, the commission decided it was in the best interest to purchase the equipment because there are not too many other options.

“When it comes to trying to dethaw water lines that are froze, your options are to have a water pump and try to run water through them, which may work occasionally,” said city manager Joe Hefele. “We’ve had some plumbers try that and have not had too much success and have just given it up.”

Another option is the use of welding tools. Hefele said the city’s insurance provider advised against that method because they are not covered for these actions.

“For good reason, because multiple houses have been burned up throughout Michigan while using these by the communities,” said Hefele. “The places where it has happened…at least if they have to cover the cost of a house, they are in a little better shape than we would be.”

Hefele said in his 13 years as city manager there has been only one other year when it was a problem. “This has been either called the hardest winter on record, or the hardest winter in 130 years. At my manager’s forum, people are struggling with what to do, all over Michigan.”

The frost is down a minimum of 60 inches in parts of the city.

There are 25 water customers whose water lines have frozen. The city continues to urge residents to let the water run at the size of a lead pencil. Some members of the staff believe that is not enough.

“This (pipe thawing) machine does not come with a guarantee,” said John Palmer, waste water treatment operator. “The thing that makes this more appealing is it is self-contained. In a typical recirculation set up with a pump and bucket, you’re going to catch some of that water, but there is the potential of making a big mess.”

The machine uses flexible tubing to feed a spray head down the water line to the frozen section. Once the sprayhead reaches that section of the water line, high pressure is used to thaw the line and the water in the tank is heated.

Palmer said another advantage is it has a pulsating line.

Hefele said there was still the possibility that it could arrive in late April or early May.

Mayor Gary Wregglesworth said, besides the need to get water running again, there is a financial incentive to getting the lines re-opened, because the city is losing revenue from the customers.

Hefele said a “hold harmless agreement” would have to be signed by the property owner and there would need to be a time limit. “We can’t be there for

18 days in a row with this,” he said. “That just can’t happen.”

“If we had the 25 customers going for three months, that would pay for the machine,” said Wregglesworth.

Hefele said the device offers the best hope if there is another winter like this.

Hefele and the commission discussed the impact on the budget and believe with some cost estimates for the new fiscal year being on the high end, and personal property tax loss not being as great as anticipated, the cost of the unit should be covered.

The vote was 4-0 in favor. Chuck Abshagen was not in attendance.