Frost-Proof Cottage Water Systems

Q: How can we get year-round running water at our cottage? We draw water from the lake, but the pressure system is only built for seasonal operation. What can we do to keep the intake line from freezing during winter? If we had year-round running water, we’d be able to enjoy the place more.

A: There are many options for keeping water lines open in the winter, and I’m sure I don’t know about all of them. The need for effective, energy-efficient systems is on the rise as baby boomers get older, retire, and spend more time in seasonal cottages. The most common freeze-proofing system I've seen involves running an electric heating cable inside the water intake line, right from the pump back to the foot valve in the lake. Special fittings allow the cable to exit the intake line up near the pump, permitting the cable to be wired to a supply of electricity. Sliding a larger pipe over the intake line can reduce energy consumption. This creates a small air insulating space in most places along the run, keeping more of the heat inside the water pipe. I’ve seen this particular system in action in a couple of cottages and it works fine, even in the coldest weather, with little or no snow cover. For more sophisticated all-weather water intake systems, I can recommend two Canadian firms. Check out Urecon (www.urecon) to see the insulated water line they offer. Another Canadian company is Heat-Line (www.heatline.com).