Owen Sound council will ask the province to help pay the cost of frozen water pipes in the city this winter.
Director of Operations Ken Becking says it cost the city about 280 thousand dollars in February, and he expects the final tally could be half a million.
"Staff costs, labour, equipment, materials, contractor costs there's a whole host of components to it," said Becking. "Staff have been working seven days a week since the first of February. In some instances they've been working 24, 36 hours straight."
Council is sending a letter to Queens Park asking for help to pay the bill.
About 65 homes and businesses remain without water because of frozen pipes. People in Owen Sound who have been advised to run water taps should continue until the city announces otherwise.