Kincardine council is looking at revising it's frozen water service policy after an unprecedented number of frozen water services last year.
Currently the municipality has no policy, and the water department is recommending the best way to address the issue.
In 2014, 77 water services were frozen, and last year there were 145.
That led to the Water Services Department looking for direction from management and council in an 11th hour context where time was of the essence.
A policy would allow the department to respond with clear expectations.
Changes to the water meter bylaw will include an exception for when the frozen water service policy comes into effect, and water billing exemptions.
The policy recommends customers who are asked to run their taps will be billed a flat rate instead of charges based on volume. The policy will outline how and when customers will be notified of a potential freeze, and how bottled water may be distributed.
It says properties that have been thawed, but refreeze, will have to wait until all other properties are thawed before their lines are addressed, and it says they will be charged for the costs of thawing the service if they did not follow instructions.
Property owners are responsible for paying to have their water services thawed on their own property.
Council will consider the policy March 9.
