POTSDAM -- The Village of Potsdam is now asking residents and businesses each to set one cold water faucet to trickle until further notice to prevent water lines from freezing.

They are added to the list of many communities in the North Country who are facing similar problems due to the extended cold streak and who have asked residents to help prevent lines from freezing by doing the same thing.

Mayor Steve Yurgartis said that dozens of lateral lines from mains to houses and businesses have frozen and it is likely to continue “as long as the weather stays cold and the frost gets deeper.”

Yurgartis said over 60 of those lateral lines and several mains have frozen up during the cold snap, and that village workers have been working overtime to keep the water flowing.

He said water bills will be adjusted to reflect the extra usage. The adjustment will be based on use last year during the same quarter, “so people won’t be billed for the extra water.”

For more information, people may call 265-7480.