The City of Chinook is recommending that residents start running a small stream of water, about the size of a pencil, to keep water service lines from freezing.

• During severely cold and long winters, frost depth can reach the depth of your service line. This typically occurs from November through March.

• In early spring, it may seem warmer, but frost is still deep in the ground and will remain until regular overnight temperatures above freezing are reached. During an extended cold winter, the frost can reach depths that put service lines at risk.

• If the ground surrounding the ser...